Mini has revealed the second body style for the third-generation Mini; a 5-door hatch. Aimed directly at Audi’s A1, the Mini 5-door measures in at 4-metres long. That makes it 161mm longer than the standard Mini with 72mm longer in the wheelbase.
Apart from the increased length and extra rear doors, the 5-Door also features a more sloped rear design. That’s not to say it’s all form and no function. The boot now has a storage capacity of 278L, up 67L compared to the 3-door. With the rear-seats folded down, a 60/40 split, maximum luggage capacity is 941L.
The interior remains the same, so the big central circular dial and 8.8-inch display screen are carried over. It’s still a funky and cool place to be in with toggle switches, aluminium trim and round dials scattered around the cabin. The rear seats are more usable than ever thanks to the extra 72mm of wheelbase. And I think I’m right in saying that for the first time ever in a BMW Mini hatchback, there are three proper rear seats.
Engine choices remain the same. That means choices include a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol in the Cooper, a 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel in the Cooper D, and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol in the range topping (for now) Cooper S. A 6-speed manual and a 6-speed auto are still available.
Mini hopes the 5-Door will account for an extra 150,000 in sales, which would make it the largest increase in sales from a single model for the brand. The 5-Door is expected to go on sale in Europe sometime in October and will command a small premium over the 3-door hatch. That means we should expect them in NZ sometime in the first quarter of 2015.
The 5-Door is also an attempt at attracting more male customers to the brand. Works for me. I really like the look of this and I know they’ll be nay-sayers out there that’ll say that this isn’t a real Mini and whatnot. But the last time Mini made ‘authentic’ cars they were still under Rover.
Certainly, the added practicality will attract new buyers to the car. Especially those put off by the Countryman. It does offer buyers of traditional hatches a more stylish and unique alternative. The next model that’ll join the third-generation Mini range will be a new Clubman, which will be even more stylish and unique.
What are your opinions on the 5-door Mini? Yay or nay?
