The Mini turns 50
The first step was to present a concept version of the MINI Cooper at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show offering an outlook at the new interpretation of this unique small car from Great Britain. As a modern rendition of the Mini's concept so rich in tradition, the new version for the first time combined the classic values of its predecessor with the demands made of a modern car set to enter the 21st century. The series production version of the MINI Cooper made its first official appearance in November 2000 at the Berlin Motor Show, the future oriented interpretation of the original entering showrooms just a year later in the guise of the 115 hp MINI Cooper. Featuring front-wheel drive, four-cylinder power units fitted crosswise at the front, short body overhangs and ample space for four, the new models successfully took up elementary features of the classic Mini.
And while the exterior dimensions of the car were now larger, meeting modern requirements in terms of interior space, the design of the new model clearly retained the proportions so typical of the brand, as well as the unmistakable design icons at the front, the rear and at the side, thus boasting a clearly recognisable link between the MINI and its classical predecessors. At the same time the MINI built in Oxford stood out clearly as the first premium car in the compact segment, achieving a status strongly reflected by a level of safety uniquely high for a car of this class. The new MINI also set new standards through its surprisingly agile handling, immediately moving right up to the top in terms of driving pleasure. So here, too, the new model followed in the footsteps of the classic Mini, but now with a lot more power and performance, thanks to the most advanced and sophisticated drivetrain and suspension technology.
Ongoing success the world over - from 2004 also in the MINI Convertible.
Almost overnight, the new interpretation of this classic small car developed into a worldwide story of success continuing to this very day. The introduction of new engine variants, to mention such one significant highlight, served to offer additional momentum, the MINI Cooper S with its 163hp supercharged engine entering the market as an exclusive driving machine in June 2002. The desire to drive a MINI in the open air, finally, also came true much faster than in the classic model, with the MINI Convertible making its debut in spring 2004. In the four years to follow some 164,000 units of this truly outstanding model with its hydraulically operated soft roof came off the production lines in Oxford in the guise of the MINI Cooper S Convertible and the MINI Cooper Convertible.
From the original to the original: the second generation of the MINI.
Further enhanced in an evolutionary design process and thoroughly renewed in technical terms, the second generation of the MINI entered the market in November 2006. Following the motto "From the Original to the Original", the design of the MINI was further refined in numerous details giving even greater emphasis in particular to the sporting virtues of this compact performer. Both the MINI Cooper S with its 172hp power unit and the 118hp MINI Cooper thrilled afficionados through their enhanced driving performance combined with significantly greater fuel economy and emission management.
Modern versatility: the MINI Clubman and the new MINI Convertible.
Almost exactly one year to the day after the launch of the new model generation, the MINI model range was further enhanced by an innovative new concept in autumn 2007. With its wheelbase 8 cm or longer, the MINI Clubman offered the driver and passengers many new ways and opportunities to enjoy the driving pleasure. Compared directly with the MINI, the MINI Clubman is 24 centimetres or 9.45" longer overall, with its longer wheelbase serving to provide extra legroom at the rear. On the MINI Clubman, the driver's and passenger's doors are supplemented by an additional entry on the right-hand side of the car as well as the two wings of the split door at the rear. Thanks to the additional door on the right-hand side of the car, the MINI Clubman offers also the rear seat passengers comfortable access to the rear seat bench.
The two-piece split door, in turn, takes up an authentic detail from the car's classic predecessors - the Morris Mini Traveller and the Austin Mini Countryman - the generous luggage space in the MINI Clubman (varying in capacity from 260-930 litres) may be enlarged in a flexible process, with very easy and convenient loading and unloading through the rear doors. The latest addition to the model range is the second generation MINI Convertible. With more sporting design, improved safety equipment, and the latest generation of power units, this unique Convertible, again improves on the original. The soft roof opens and closes electrohydraulically within 15 seconds, even at speeds of up to 30 km/h. The unique sliding roof function on the new MINI Convertible, in turn, is activated by an electric motor, the front end of the soft top moving back by up to 40 centimetres or almost 16". Improved all round visibility with the roof closed results, first, from the slightly larger side windows at the rear and, second, from the newly conceived, fully retracting rollbar.
This single piece rollbar moving up instantaneously whenever required normally remains slightly below the headrests at the rear, not in any way obstructing the visibility of the driver looking back. At the same time the single piece rollbar provides sufficient space for integrating a large through loading between the luggage compartment and the passenger compartment, increasing the car's loading capacity to a maximum of 660 litres. The current range of engines is more versatile than ever before: The MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible are each available in two engine variants. For the first time there are also three unique models from John Cooper Works, the MINI John Cooper Works, the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, and the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible. All three are fully-fledged members of the MINI production range and are built at MINI Plant Oxford alongside the other variants of the MINI.
Recently the MINI has again been upgraded, with the availability of it first diesel engine, plus a new Cabriolet range.
