MINI Cooper SE

The Mini Cooper hatchback is one of the most prominent cars ever made. If you are a fan of classic cars or modern machines, you will appreciate the fact that the car is loved by people globally.  Mini Cooper S Specifications (on sale in India) Engine 2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-petrol Power 201 bhp Torque 300 Nm Transmission DCT - 7 gears Price (ex-showroom) Rs 44.90 lakh Here are 10 fascinating facts about the Mini Cooper that you might not know: 1. The Origin To meet the need arising from the 1956 Suez crisis, driving on minimal fuel and with price skyrocketing petrol at their necks, the original Mini was designed. In its most humble form, a car was needed, small and fuel-efficient, that would cost little to maintain and in particular, amazing fuel efficiency. The result? The Mini, launched in 1959, was instantaneously a hit due to its small size and excellent mileage 2. Sir Alec Issigonis Sir Alec Issigonis was a British-Greek engineer who was the mastermind behind the Mini. One of Issigonis’s goals was to squeeze as much interior space into a small exterior. Many of the modern cars you see today inherited his innovative design of the wheels pushed to the corners and the transverse engine. 3. Racing was Born for the Mini Cooper Mini Cooper gets its name from John Cooper, a British car maker and race car driver. In 1961, Cooper saw the Mini’s potential as a performance car and produced a racing version. In the 1960s, the Mini Cooper quickly shot to fame on the racing circuit winning the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally three times. 4. Hollywood Link The Mini Cooper is more than a car; it’s a pop culture icon. Mini’s quirky design is such a Hollywood favourite, that it features in movies from ‘The Italian Job’ (1969 original and 2003 remake) to TV shows and music videos. Its most memorable role? Mr Bean TV series featuring Rowan Atkinson. 5. Small But Powerful While it has always been small, it’s always had a peppy performance. The lightweight frame was the Mini’s biggest advantage because it helped the 848cc engine punch above its weight in terms of power and torque. The modern Coopers are liked for being go-kart-like to drive, which means on twisty roads they are amazing. 6. Mini - True to its Name It was an amazingly small original Mini — a little over 3 metres in length — and was very capable of carrying four adults inside. It relied on interior space with its clever design and front wheel drive resulted in more room for passengers.  7. Loved by Celebrities It’s no surprise that over the years many celebrities are seen behind the wheel of a Mini Cooper. Its famous owners include The Beatles, Steve McQueen, Madonna and even David Bowie who had a custom-painted Mini.  8. It wasn’t Called ‘Mini’ Almost Everywhere The car was launched and advertised as an Austin Seve, and as a Morris Mini-Minor, depending on who manufactured it. The rest is history, and it wasn’t until 1961 that the name "Mini" was officially adopted. 9. German Roots of a British Icon In 1994, the BMW Group acquired the Mini brand and brought the car back in 2001. The modern-day Mini is built and engineered in Germany, but assembled in Oxford, England keeping it as British as it can be. BMW India imports the Mini Cooper via the CBU route. 10. Electric Future Ahead The Mini Electric (sold overseas) symbolises the green future mindset of the brand. The electric Mini brings zero emissions and the same fun-to-drive character, and the plug-in car is part of the company's plan to become fully electric by 2030.  Conclusion Remember back in the late 1950s when the Mini Cooper first hit the streets? Dedicated first as a fuel-saving solution, then a global symbol of fun and performance, the Mini Cooper continues to win hearts. The Mini’s appeal cuts across racing heritage, pop culture fame or a compact design. Therefore the next time you see one on the road, you will know that the Mini Cooper is special because I have just talked you through these lovely facts. Also, read – Are You a Toyota Innova Hycross or Kia Carnival Person?

Have you ever wondered why the Mini Cooper costs a lot, even for a small car, you are not alone on that. This car cannot be called a normal vehicle since it is easily recognised by its extraordinary appearance and, at the same time, a rather high price. Let us discuss the factors that contribute to its higher price as compared to the other cars. Brand Heritage and Design Mini is a rather successful car brand which has multiple generations and has been designed specifically to be easily recognisable. The brand began being developed back in the 1960s and was embraced by many as a stylish and fun car-to-drive brand. They help to add to its premium price because of the historical value and the originality of the design. You are not simply acquiring a car, but an automobile legend.  Quality Materials and Craftsmanship This is one of the many reasons why the Mini Cooper is more costly since its assembly employs superior quality materials. Both the interior and the exterior show the level of detailing, though the exterior shows more from the hatchback, the interior shows the same from the B-segment - leather reinforced seats, high-grade plastic use and the detailing. It is a policy that mainly assures durability and a feel of luxury that makes up for the higher costs. Advanced Technology Mini Coopers are equipped with high technology as well as options that are usually installed in cars of a lower price range. This ranges from today’s fancy and complex touchscreen infotainment systems to enhanced safety technologies. Also, Minis are known to get a round infotainment screen which they source from Samsung. What is even more obvious is the fact that the cost of developing these technologies and integrating them into the car is evident from the price set for the particular vehicle. Performance and Engineering Mini Coopers are models that are quite popular today for their capabilities to deliver great performances and precise handling on the roads. The recently launched Cooper S houses a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine belting out 204 bhp and 300 Nm of pull force. This performance is not only about the engine but the engineering and design put into creative the car enjoyable to operate. The level of engineering that such performance standards demand may be expensive and this adds to the cost of the car.  Exclusive Branding and Customisation Mini is known to allow greater customisation of its cars and this is to a great extent. This kind of exclusivity and extent of personalisation is not cheap, but it may be expected with luxury car brands. Also, Mini is a brand that slots in the premium category, and therefore, it can appeal to the higher price based on the brand image. Import Costs and Taxes The final price of imported cars, especially those manufactured in the developed countries, is usually determined by several factors such as taxes and import duties, for instance in India the import taxes and duties are very high. Since Mini Coopers are imported, these extra expenses have to be recovered from the consumer and hence, add extra costs. The Cooper S comes at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 44.90 lakh. Limited Production and Demand Mini Coopers are speciality models and not manufactured in the numbers like more generic fours and sixes. Due to selective manufacturing, units manufactured are less and this can lead to an increase in price. The fact that there are a few suppliers in the market driving the high demand ensures that the costs for the buyers are high. Altogether, Mini Cooper’s higher cost includes the heritage of the brand, quality product design and material, advanced technology, excellent performance, brand identification, expensive import and scarcity of car production. To many, this is justifiable given the special experience that comes with owning a Mini Cooper, not to mention the Mini Cooper brand. Read Also: Understanding Why Rolls Royce Cars are So Expensive

After opening pre-bookings for its new-generation Cooper S and Countryman E, MINI will launch the two cars in India on July 24. To go live alongside the BMW 5 Series LWB, the latter eSUV will mark its debut next month. BMW has been the parent of MINI since 1996. You can book your Mini via their online portal. In the three-door ICE Cooper S, a couple of striking visual bits include a refreshed grille, circular LED headlight pair and updated Union Jack tail lights. Under the hood is expected a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine belting out 201 bhp and 300 Nm of pull force. MINI’s upcoming biggest offering, the 4.4-metre-long Countryman E’s design favours aerodynamics for an increased range. Octagonal front grille, LED DRLs around the headlights’ circumference and up to 21-inch alloy wheels are noteworthy. The SUV comes out as a more spacious and off-road capable sporting a 202 mm ground clearance. It will be powered by a 210 bhp/ 250 Nm electric motor paired with a 66.45 kWh battery pack and offer a WLTP  range of up to 462 kilometres. MINI may reportedly bring the 309 bhp Countryman ALL4 with a dual-motor setup.  Being CBUs, we expect the three and five-door SUVs to be priced at Rs. 45 lakh and Rs. 70 lakh, ex-showroom. Read also - Pre-Launch Bookings Open For BMW 5 Series LWB

MINI has just unveiled the new Mini Shadow Edition in India. It is based on the current-gen Countryman Cooper S JCW but has cosmetic differences on the outside and inside. The limited edition model is limited to only 24 units. MINI Shadow Edition: What’s Different? Compared to the Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW, the Shadow Edition gets an all-black exterior theme that is contrasted by the melting silver mirror caps and roof. It also gets double matte black Shadow Edition decals on the bonnet scoop, from fenders, door sills, and C-pillar. The wheels are 18-inch units while the JCW aerodynamics kit makes it look sportier than the regular Countryman. Moving inside, the Shadow Edition gets Leather Chester Malt Brown and Shaded Silver upholstery. The interior gets Mini’s Excitement Pack which includes LED ambient lighting and a puddle lamp on the driver’s external mirror that projects the Mini emblem. In terms of features, the limited edition model gets a fully digital instrument cluster, navigation system with a touch controller, connected car tech, 8.8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, audio setup by Harman Kardon, and a panoramic sunroof. MINI Shadow Edition: Powertrain Details Powering the Mini Shadow Edition is a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 177 bhp and 280 Nm of peak torque. Transmission duties are handled by a 7-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Mini claims a 0-100 kmph time of just 7.5 seconds for the limited edition model. MINI Shadow Edition: Launch and Pricing The Mini Shadow Edition is now available to be booked via the automaker’s official website. It is priced at Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom), a premium of Rs 1.6 lakh over the Countryman Cooper S JCW. As mentioned above, only 24 units will be available, which will be produced at BMW’s production facility in Chennai. Also Read: Our Guide to Choosing the Best MINI Car for You