Mini Cooper update includes a moustache

The Mini Cooper hatch and cabriolet have been updated with external and interior tweaks for 2021, and are now available in SA.

A new piano-black grille outline gives the Minis a moustache effect. The bumpers get new air curtains for improved aerodynamics and new side scuttles that identify the model, while the fog lamps have been moved inside the round LED headlights that now get matrix technology for enhanced night driving.

The rear bumper too has been tidied up while all models now get the Union Jack light clusters.     

The wide personalisation choices continue with a choice of body paint finishes that gain three new colours: rooftop grey, island blue and zesty yellow. There’s also a new multitone roof for the three- and five-door hatches which features a colour gradient from San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black. Jet Black, Aspen White and Melting Silver are the contrast roof alternatives, with Chili Red for the Mini John Cooper Works.

You’d expect a Mini to be premium inside, and the updated range doesn’t disappoint. The basic look, ergonomics and quality in cabin remain, but there’s an evident layer of new organic sophistication brought on by a new steering wheel, sports seats, reduced chrome surfaces and redesigned air vents, among other rethinks.

The hallmark 8.8 inch touch-operated centre command screen still dominates proceedings and is now enhanced with new graphics. It’s user-friendly and works in conjunction with a mouse controller positioned on the centre console.

There is a choice of six interior mood lightings and the driver’s information binnacle is a five inch digital display.

The Mini Cooper range is available in 1.5l three-cylinder and 2.0l four-cylinder engines in different states of tune in either three- or five-door variants. My initial impressions of the vehicles driven in both urban and highway conditions were entirely favourable. 

The entry-level One and Cooper models use the three-pot motor for outputs of 75kW/190Nm and 100kW/220Nm, respectively. They aren’t lacking in bite or refinement and are hooked to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Cooper S and JCW use a 2.0l four cylinder engine for 141kW/ 280Nm and 170kW/320Nm respectively. The S versions use the seven-speed dual clutch while in JCW form it’s a conventional eight-speed automatic. All drive the front wheels.

The more powerful versions are adequately tractable, emotive and surprisingly frugal. The Cooper S five-door I drove on launch averaged 5.6l/100km vs the 7.3l/100km consumed by the Cooper three-door hatch which I also drove.  

The new Minis feel relaxed and almost BMW-like when romping about in city or highway conditions, but the famous go-kart texture is just a button press away, as adaptive suspension is available on Mini models for the first time. It’s said to optimise balance between sportiness and ride comfort through the use of continuous frequency-selective damping.

Damping forces can be reduced by up to 50% when in Sport mode for superior handling. This new damper technology is available for all model variants except the Mini One and the electric Mini Cooper SE.

All new Minis come with a two year/unlimited kilometre warranty and three year/75,000km service plans for the Mini One models and five year/100,000km for the rest of the models.

PRICES

Mini One 3dr — R420,000

Mini Cooper 3dr — R469,500

Mini Cooper 3dr S R530,000

Mini Cooper JCW — R615,00

Mini Cooper One 5dr — R430,000

Mini Cooper 5dr — R479,500

Mini Cooper S 5dr — R540,000

Mini Cooper cab — R533,000

Mini Cooper S cab — R614,000

Mini Cooper SE — R658,000