Official News on The 2005 MINI Refresh

It's been talked about on this site and others many times but now the news is official. This is from MINI PR:

From July 2004, the MINI hatchback range will receive an enhanced interior and exterior look. In addition, modifications to the transmission will increase engine flexibility in the mid range. Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager MINI UK said: “Clearly we did not want to change a winning formula – customers love the friendly face and retro interior of the MINI. This model update is merely a few subtle tweaks to make the MINI even more desirable than it already is.”

New transmission

A new five-speed ‘Getrag’ gearbox with modified gear ratios will feature in all MINI One and MINI Cooper models. The modification results in improved acceleration for both models. The MINI One now accelerates in fourth gear from 50-75 mph in 11.9 seconds (previously 12.8 seconds).

Torque on the MINI Cooper has been increased from 149 Nm at 4,500 rpm to 150 Nm at 4,500 rpm. This minor improvement helps the MINI Cooper knock 0.1 of a second off its 0-62 mph acceleration sprint to record a time of 9.1 seconds (previously 9.2 seconds). Acceleration in fifth gear from 50-75 mph takes 13.5 seconds, an improvement of one second.

MINI One and MINI Cooper engine power remain the same at 90 bhp and 115 bhp respectively but the Cooper S posts a 7 bhp increase in performance taking its maximum output to 170 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Top speed is increased by 3 mph to 138 mph and the all-important 0-62 mph is achieved in just 7.2 seconds, a reduction of 0.2 seconds. Also, torque has been increased by 10 Nm, peaking at 220 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

The exterior

All MINI models receive new clear glass headlights that provide brighter illumination. The optional xenon headlights have also been modified to include an additional ring of light spots for increased visibility.

The MINI One and MINI Cooper also get a re-designed front and rear bumper. At the front, the bumper has been lowered, while at the rear, the rubbing strip has been split with the fog light re-positioned neatly between the two halves (previously the rubbing strip was a single unit with the fog light above). Reversing lights are now integrated into the newly designed rear light clusters.

Two new metallic exterior paint colours will be introduced from July – Astro Black (replaces Cosmos Black) and Black-Eyed Purple (replaces Indi Blue). Another new metallic colour, Hyper Blue, will be reserved for Cooper S models. Electric Blue will be extended as a colour option on all models with the exception of the MINI Convertible range. This means that there is a choice of 10 exterior colours for every MINI in the range.

The interior

All MINIs will receive the following ergonomic improvements:

• New storage area
• New ‘coin tray’ area under the handbrake
• Larger rear cup holder
• Door armrest with improved ergonomic grip
• More spacious door bin for improved storage
• Additional side mounted sun visor for driver
• Improved side support from seat bench side bolsters
• Addition of passenger grab handle above window
• Larger rear view mirror
• Clock repositioned from headlining to central instrument panel
• Improved interior ambient lighting
• ISOFIX and CD preparation as standard
• Rev counter (previously not standard on MINI One)
• Upholstery choices have been expanded to offer 14 different cloth, cloth/ leather and full leather designs. Cloth Dragon replaces Cloth AQUA as the standard upholstery for MINI One and MINI One D, and Cloth Octagon replaces Cloth KALEIDO as standard on MINI Cooper models.

A new ‘body coloured’ trim has increased MINI Cooper S interior trim choices to five. Colours available are Chili Red, Liquid Yellow, Electric Blue and Hyper Blue. Alternatively customers can choose from silver, anthracite, alloy patina, and wood.

All very interesting. While most of it is old news there certainly is some new info there to digest.