Mini Cooper: can drive at fifty-five

OVER 180 MINIS of all models, shapes and sizes gathered to celebrate the marque’s 55th anniversary at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The start of August has been a busy month for MINI in the country and in the Asean region.

First was the regional debut of the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Clubman Concept cars in BMW World 2014, held in Marina Bay Sands Convention Center in Singapore, as reported by  Inquirer Motoring last week. Last Sunday, some 180 MINIs of various models, variants and sizes gathered around the Quezon Memorial Circle and celebrated 55 years of the original MINI by local Mini owners and supported by Mini Philippines.

THE CLASSIC MINI has appeared in a lot of movies and TV shows, including the United Kingdom’s Mr. Bean’s comedy show. photos by Alvin Uy

British United Automobiles Inc., also known as MINI Philippines, launched the third generation of the new MINI Cooper known as the F56 model.  The latest generation F56 model is now 55-percent bigger in footprint than the classic MINI and is longer by 114 millimeters and has a wider body by 43 mm. With new engines and bigger cabin since, it is also taller by 8 mm.

At first glance, it still retains its iconic design and styling of the modern MINI.  However, on closer inspection, its traditionally round headlamps are now using LEDs for greener energy efficiency and safe illumination even during daytime. At the heart of the new MINI Cooper beats a more efficient engine, albeit less one cylinder. The all-new and uniquely designed 1.5-liter, 12-valve, three-cylinder engine is now using a turbocharger, giving it a 134-horsepower rating. The huskier Mini Cooper S variant, however, still retains its four-cylinder, turbocharged engine layout, but horsepower is upgraded to 189, propelling it from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 233 kph. The base Mini Cooper on the other hand, takes 7.4 seconds to go from 0 to 100 kph, with a top speed of 208 kph.

The new generation MINI is also the most technologically advanced, not only in engine and suspension design but its on-dash electronics are also techie-ready.  Its large round middle dashboard bezel now houses an 8.8-inch display panel, instead of the usual speedometer, which was relocated to the driver’s side behind the steering wheel. “We believe the entry-level MINI Cooper will gain more popularity as well, since the gap has narrowed when we talk about the performance levels of the MINI Cooper and the MINI Cooper S variants. This way, we believe we will have a wider market reach,” said Willy Tee ten, CEO of Autohub Group and MINI Philippines.