Mini One: Light Show Included

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

The Mini has been thoroughly redesigned. But what does that mean for the customer? Does it bring added value, more space? Our driving report with the Mini One answers these and other questions.

By Frank Mertens

So that's it, the new Mini. He's gotten bigger again - more grown up, as many think. The fact that the BMW subsidiary is moving further and further away from the original Mini from generation to generation with this need for even greater size is nothing new. But does this also give the customer the added value they are hoping for, i.e. more space?

Anyone who takes a seat in the three-door and then also on the tight-fitting sports seats with which our Mini One was equipped, does not initially have this feeling. Subjectively, of course. Because the numbers speak a different language: Compared to its predecessor, it has increased in length by a whopping 9.8 centimeters, in width by 4.4 centimeters and height by 0.7 centimeters. So objectively it offers more space, just stupid that you as the driver and passenger do not have this feeling, somehow feel a bit cramped.

Growth also in the trunk

But perhaps this feeling is only provided by the sports seats, which you almost feel a little out of over the 90 kilograms of body size. Own problem, right. But there is also something positive about it, it makes you think about shedding a few pounds so that you feel more comfortable in this mini. Incidentally, in the rear you can sit comfortably as a child, thanks to the deeper seat cushions in the back seat with a length increase of 2.3 centimeters. The 13-year-old son was definitely taken with it. For a shorter distance, however, you can expect an adult to take a seat here.

Mini friends can look forward to the addition in the trunk. 211 liters of luggage can now be stowed here, 51 liters more than before. The trunk is slowly getting into areas where you can take more than just emergency baggage in it. Otherwise, the new interior looks more pleasing than its predecessor. The driver is happy that the speedometer and tachometer are finally where they belong: directly behind the wheel, i.e. in the driver's field of vision.

In the new Mini, the Center Speedo acts as the central unit, for example, to display the navigation system, the telephone and the setting of a large number of driver assistance systems that this Mini is using for the first time. These include, for example, a collision and pedestrian warning with an emergency braking function, traffic sign recognition, a lane departure warning system or active cruise control. If you want, you can also order a head-up display. All of this is very nice because it contributes to more security.

Including light show

One also has the impression that the interior designers got lost in gimmicks when they wanted to visualize the operation of the air conditioning via the Center Speedo. If you turn the temperature down, a blue ring appears on the edge of the central instrument, if you increase the temperature, it turns red on the right side. In this context, Mini itself speaks of light staging - you really have to like that.

While this is a matter of taste, the poor visibility ahead is just annoying. If you stop at a traffic light, you cannot see whether the steeply upward sloping front window or whether the light signal is now green again. Accordingly, you have to bend forward convulsively so as not to attract the displeasure of the vehicles standing behind you.

But how does the new Mini drive that we tested with the new three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 102 hp? Just as you expect it from him - and how you know it and what is commonly referred to as a typical go-kart feeling. The new Mini can perhaps be moved a touch more confidently than its predecessor. With a wheelbase extended by 2.8 centimeters and a larger track width of 4.2 centimeters at the front and 3.4 centimeters at the rear, it is even more solid on the road. This is especially noticeable when you set the drive mode selector lever positioned below the gear lever to Sport. This means that both the accelerator and steering characteristics are set for more sportiness.

Well-working six-speed manual gearbox

If, in contrast to us, who were traveling with a really well-coordinated manual six-speed gearbox, opt for an automatic, you will also get faster shift times in this mode. In addition to sport, you can also set the selector lever to the green position. You are then particularly efficient on the road - and the instruments show you the bonus kilometers that you have driven. Kind.

If you want to be a little faster with the Mini, no problem. The little one offers enough leeway in terms of chassis and engine power. It sprints to 100 km / h in 9.9 seconds, and the top speed is 195 km / h. This is all a lot of fun, also considering the low seating position.

And the consumption? He should move thanks to a start-stop system at 4.7 liters. In practice, however, there was 6.9 liters of mixed consumption on the on-board computer. A lot for a small car. But if you put at least 17,450 euros on the dealer's table for a car like the Mini One, you won't be too stingy when it comes to refueling. Incidentally, this price only serves as a rough guide. Because if you work your way through the surcharge list and decide here and there for one of the equipment packages on offer, you can easily add another 5000 euros on top.