Mini Hatch

How long can BMW keep stretching the Mini? While COTY is no place for philosophical debate, the all-new F56 three-door hatch is dangerously close to becoming a caricature of the 2001 post-modern original.

However, if the retro styling and oddball oversized centre screen are starting to seem passe, some good old-fashioned German engineering has ensured that this is the cleanest, quickest and most miserly Mini in history. It’s also the cheapest (BMW era) Mini ever, with the Cooper copping a $5000 price drop, while a new entry-level One version kicks off from less than $25K. Mini is no longer a byword for rip-off.

Speaking of shrinkage, the Bavarians know a thing or two about making downsizing desirable, as evidenced by the standard fitment of three-pot turbos on non-performance variants. Whether in spunky petrol or hybrid-rivalling diesel guises, they punch well above their puny capacities while offering impressively low consumption. Too bad the manual gearshift is somewhat notchy.

Then there’s the lion-hearted 2.0-litre turbo Cooper S that feels and drives like a shrunken BMW, yet also returns remarkable economy. And, while not quite kart-like, the handling is helped by superb body control and grippy tyres, resulting in effortless cornering and wet-road braking.

There are improvements inside, too, and not just because you can’t see the Mini’s Marty Feldman face. There’s an enormous uplift in cabin design and quality, and more room where it was needed most in the back seat and below the rear parcel shelf. You can no longer call this hatchback cramped.

From a safety perspective, a host of BMW sourced active collision-mitigation options have filtered down, including a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning, and automatic high beam.

So far, so good, but are the Germans losing sight of what a Mini is all about in some very obvious areas? For instance, while adaptive dampers are now available, even they can't lessen the pummelling inflicted by the optional 18-inch wheels. And the smaller hoops aren't much better.

Then there’s the overly reactive steering at speed, with some judges feeling that it may be too sensitive for a sizeable slice of the Mini’s market demographic.

Finally and this has long been a series bugbear the windscreen and side pillars are too wide, obscuring vision in the city.

So, while discernibly better than before for technology, efficiency, quality, space and value, the Mini is still expensive for its size, and stumbles in key dynamic and comfort areas. Baby steps, then, for a status icon that’s outgrown the original’s cuteness.

Size, doesn't matter
BMW rush-released the first five-door Mini hatch in November, three months earlier than intended,but too late for COTY testing. The five-door costs $1100 more and has a higher roof and extra wheelbase or better cabin space. It’s expected o be the range bestseller.

BODY
Type3-door hatch, 4 seats
Boot capacity211 litres
Weight 1085-1175kg

DRIVETRAIN
Layout front engine (east-west), FWD

Engines
1198cc 3cyl turbo (75kW/180Nm);
1499cc 3cyl turbo (100kW/220Nm);
1998cc 4cyl turbo (141kW/280Nm);
1496cc 3cyl turbo-diesel (85kW/270Nm)

Transmissions - 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Tyres175/65R15 – 205/40R18
ADR81 fuel consumption 3.7-5.9L/100km
Greenhouse emissions 97-138g/km
Collision mitigation OPT
Crash rating n/a
Prices $24,500 – $36,950