Welcome to yet another new video from Shift Up in which this time we go out with a car that is a modern interpretation of a classic design. I am of course talking about a true icon, namely the MINI Cooper.
Next to me is the 3rd generation of the new MINI, or modern interpretation of the now classic MINI that first hit the market in 1959. An icon that was designed and built at the time with the mission of being an economical car that could fit 4 adults and was affordable to the vast majority of the population. That design was so popular that it continued in production until the late 1990s with only minor changes over the years.
In 1999, a panel of 130 automotive journalists even awarded the MINI the title "European Car of the Century." Then in 2001 came the first "new MINI," which became a completely new car. Inspired by that classic model from the 1960s but with a modern twist. And it turned out to be a mega success. In 2014, this 3rd generation new MINI entered the market. A car built in the Netherlands, namely at VDL Nedcar in Born, Limburg.
Compared to its predecessor made from 2006 to 2014, it has grown almost 10 centimeters longer. Of this nearly 10 centimeters, most of the space goes to the hood, where extra attention has been paid to the design of the hood, which rises in part during a collision with a pedestrian to reduce the harshness of the impact.
The typical design of the steep windshield, round headlights and rectangular taillights have fortunately remained, but made a little more modern. For example, the xenon headlights have given way to LED headlights. Another nice MINI feature is the design of the roof. Because the panels of the A and C style are glossy black, it looks like the roof is supported by the windows of the car, especially when you order a roof in a different color than the rest of the body.
All in all, the exterior design is still very similar to that of its predecessor, but just a bit more modern. What did go through a major change is the interior. Starting with the design of the dashboard. In the center of the dashboard of the previous generation MINI, you got a larger analog counter in the center as standard, just like in the classic model from the 1960s. Optionally, you could then get a navigation system in the center with your speedometer around it, but the latter has now completely disappeared from the center and now sits right in front of you.
The center of this generation MINI, or F56, also houses your navigation system and audio, but with a large LED ring around it. When you turn the temperature up or down, the ring turns red or blue. When you turn the volume knob, the LED ring turns up or down with you, and the ring also indicates something during parking, as it turns from green to yellow to red, depending on how close you approach the object behind you.
The audio, navigation and phone are also, in my opinion, much easier and more user-friendly to operate with the familiar round button you also see in BMWs. Furthermore, the interior finish is even much higher than its predecessor. Much attention to detail has also remained, such as the ambient lighting behind the handles and the classic rocker switches with a start button that pulses red when you get in and it recognizes the key.
Then, when you start the car, you may have to get used to the sound. The Mini Cooper does not have a 4 cylinder under the hood, but a 3 cylinder. A turbocharged engine that produces 136 HP to keep up with traffic, sprints from 0 to 100 in 7.8 seconds and has a top speed of 210 KM/H.
When you sit behind the wheel and press the gas pedal you hear a nice and somewhat deep rumble. Today we are on the road with an automatic version, one with 6 gears. This car also has the MINI driving modes, with which you can set how it reacts to your steering, but also how late it shifts up and down and how fiercely it reacts to your throttle response, which it does in sport mode a bit harder and faster than in MID mode or Green mode. In sport mode you really feel like you are driving a go-kart.
It steers nicely direct, in my opinion also just a bit sharper than its predecessor. The big advantage of this generation MINI is that it is a lot more comfortable than the previous model, which was really a much stiffer MINI than this one. It has also become a bit more fuel efficient and you can order a lot more options that you can also get on BMWs, such as collision warning, high beam assistant, traffic sign recognition and an emergency call system that can call the emergency services itself in case of a collision.
So are there any critical points to this great icon? Sure! It remains a small car as the name suggests. Going on vacation to Spain or Italy with 4 people is and remains a bit cramped, but for a premium city car I think this is the best car you can choose.
Finally, some information about this particular example. It is a 2018 Cooper, finished in Midnight Black with a half leather interior with very nice sports seats whose seating area you can enlarge. It also has LED headlights that look very pleasant in the dark, it has navigation and seat heating and bluetooth for calling, as well as for streaming music.