MINI 5-door on sale now from $27,750

The burgeoning MINI range in Australia has just welcomed its latest member, the new MINI 5-door. Sitting on a longer wheelbase than the 3^rd generation MINI 3-door, the 5-door is model is longer, taller and comes with a larger luggage area.

With an overall length of 3982mm (Cooper S: 4005mm), width of 1727mm and height of 1425mm, the MINI 5-door is 161mm longer and 11mm taller than the new MINI 3-door Hatch but maintains that car’s compact and powerful appearance with a firm, planted-on-the-road stance.

The bold front end, with its trademark circular headlights; a dynamic profile provided by a rising sill line and short front and rear overhangs; and tapered rear window with an integrated hatch-top spoiler all combine to ensure the MINI 5-door maintains a highly distinctive and sporty visage.

Along with the longer body, the new MINI 5-door sits on a 2567mm wheelbase that has been extended by 72mm compared to the MINI 3-door Hatch providing a substantial increase in interior space, particularly in the rear where the 60/40-split bench seat will now seat three passengers.

The higher roof height has added 15mm more headroom, the increased length provides 72mm more rear foot and legroom and although the overall width of the car is the same as the MINI 3-door Hatch, clever design has provided passengers with 61mm more interior width at elbow height.

In addition to the extra passenger space, the larger interior of the MINI 5-door also provides more luggage capacity with greater flexibility in the seating options. With the rear seat back in place, the boot provides a capacity of 278 litres that can be further expanded to 941 litres with the 60/40-split rear seat back folded flat.

The rear seat back can also be placed in a 90-degree position to increase luggage space while the storage package provides a two-part load compartment floor that can be locked in various positions for improved versatility.

The range starts from $27,750 for the MINI Cooper, which is substantially less than the previous generation MINI 3-door. Despite the attractive entry price, it is generously equipped, with air conditioning, dynamic cruise control, electric windows and mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers and lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, audio system with USB and Auxiliary inputs, Bluetooth connectivity and interior LED ambient light package all standard.

Stepping up to the $32,900 MINI Cooper D adds automatic dual-zone climate control, 16-inch alloys, Radio MINI Visual Boost with a 6.5-inch central display screen, extended Bluetooth with audio streaming, front fog lights, a front armrest and the BMW iDrive-based MINI Controller.

Finally, the $38,050 range-topping MINI Cooper S gets 17-inch alloys, leather/cloth combination upholstery, front sports seats and MINI Navigation System. It is also fitted with the MINI Driving Modes (optional on the Cooper and Cooper D), which offers a choice of three driving modes – MID, SPORT or GREEN, which alters throttle, steering and transmission (auto only) settings.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control with Electronic Differential Lock Control, ABS with Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Cornering Brake Control, and rear Park Distance Control.

At the heart of the Cooper S is BMW Group’s 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. When paired with the optional six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, the Cooper S will cover 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, while the standard six-speed manual adds 0.1 seconds. Combined fuel consumption is a claimed 5.5L/100km for the auto, and 6.0L/100km for the manual.

The mid-range Cooper D is fitted with the latest generation 1.5-litre three-cylinder common-rail direct injection turbo diesel engine that produces 85kW of power and 270Nm of torque, and uses a claimed 3.8L/100km when mated to the manual transmission.

Powering the entry-level MINI Cooper is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 100kW of power and 220Nm of torque. It returns a claimed 4.9L/100km of combined fuel consumption when paired with the manual transmission.