MINI HATCH AND CONVERTIBLE CHANGES FOR 2021

MINI has announced multiple changes to the Hatch and Convertible model for 2021.

The MINI 3-door Hatch has a revised front grille which is accentuated by a black surround. Interestingly peripheral elements are reduced in size to further add emphasis to the bold grille; the position lights are replaced by vertical air inlets pushed to the outer corners of the front fascia. Their new shape also aids aerodynamics.

“The new Multitone Roof for the MINI is not only the most expressive form of contrast paint to date, it also takes the brand’s hallmark ex-works customisation options to a new level,” says Oliver Heilmer, Head of MINI Design.

Piano Black Exterior touches now extend to the door handles, side scuttles, fuel cap, the MINI logos on the bonnet and luggage compartment lid and tailpipes of the exhaust system. The surrounds of the headlights, radiator grille and rear lights are likewise darkened.

New to the range are sports seats in Light Chequered colour to complement the Zesty Yellow exterior paint finish. The familiar Black Pearl fabric quality has a new, expressive check look in hallmark. The seams at the transition to the seat bolsters feature a colour scheme that matches the fabric of the seat surfaces.

Interestingly, the number of chromed elements has been significantly reduced in the interior. The two outer, round air outlets are now framed by black panels. The interior fascia, optionally available in the new Silver Chequered and MINI Yours Aluminium variants now extends across the entire width of the instrument panel into the driver’s area.

An 8.8-inch colour touchscreen display now features touch-sensitive favourite buttons. A new surface design with laser engraving updates the appearance of the LED colour-changing ring surrounding the central instrument.

The operating system controller placed on the centre console gets an all-black surface makeover in conjunction with a navigation system.

MINI’s new digital instrumentation enables mood switching that changes the look and feel of the interior to the experience desired.

Corresponding to the car’s vehicle setting, “MID” and “GREEN” modes are paired with a “lounge” setting on the screen display. “SPORT” switches up the colour display to red graphics and a sportier look. A uniform colour scheme for all modes can also be configured in the control system menu.

Five new alloy wheel designs are available: 17-inch wheels Tentacle Spoke black design, Scissor Spoke design and a black version of the Pedal Spoke variant. In addition, there are new 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Pulse Spoke design, with a concentric bi-colour look that creates impressive design accents, as well as John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Circuit Spoke black design.

A new version of MINI’s Adaptive Suspension significantly increases ride comfort and superior handling when compensating for slight bumps in the road, while maintaining the sporty characteristics of the damping when turning in to a corner, for example. The innovative damper technology is available across the range in Australia except on the MINI Electric Hatch.

The operating system of the MINI Hatch and Convertible is now more advanced than ever thanks to a new graphics display and updated options for selecting and controlling audio, telephone, navigation and apps on-the-go.

The screen display with symbols and white text on new colour backgrounds has a particularly high-grade and modern look. The desired menu items are displayed as “live widgets” and can be called up by swiping the touchscreen, whereupon they are enlarged in the centre display.

With a new interface and design, the MINI App can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

The new 2021 M.NI Hatch and Convertible range will come to Australia in the latter half of this year. Pricing and specification will be announced closer to their arrival.

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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