New MINI On Sale in the UK Today
The new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S go on sale from this weekend. All 154 UK MINI dealerships are holding launch events to unveil the new car, but many customers will have to wait until the New Year to own one. The order books are almost full for 2006. Approximately 4000 orders have been taken for the new car, equalling the number achieved in the lead up to the launch of the first generation new MINI in July 2001.
With an all-new design and new engines, the MINI Cooper costs from £12,995 (on-the-road) and the MINI Cooper S is £15,995(otr). With the additional standard options, these prices have increased by a smidgen over two per cent over the first generation.
The unbeatable combination of grin-inducing driving dynamics, emotive design and solid engineering will lead sales of the new car. But the impressive cost of ownership adds strength to an enticing overall package….
– The new engines from Hams Hall are more powerful, while using less fuel and emitting less emissions. Fuel economy is up by 20 per cent and emissions have been improved by up to 21 per cent. The MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S have both dropped two places on the VED tax scale, with a C grading for the MINI Cooper and a D for the MINI Cooper S.
– The slightly raised bonnet has been designed for better pedestrian safety, but it will also contribute to lower bills in the workshop if you have a brush with a bollard. Items like a clip-on front spoiler make parts easier and quicker to replace, and technicians can also move the front of the car forward by 10cms to gain easier access to the engine.
– There is still a huge range of options to personalise your MINI, and plenty of new ones added to the list, but the cost to the customer has again been at front of mind. The Salt, Pepper and Chili packs offer a range of popular options at a price that is 25 per cent less than buying them individually.
– The original, ground-breaking MINI tlc service pack for 5 years or 50,000 miles is still available on the new car, at the same £150.
– Thatcham has now confirmed insurance ratings for the new models. The new MINI Cooper will sit in insurance group 8E, while the new MINI Cooper S receives a rating of 15E.
Source: MINI UK Press
Here are some “live” shots of the day’s UK introduction by Jordan.
Now to get my hands on the Clubman/Traveler.
The big selling point for me is the drop of two whole places on the VED tax scale! Amazing!
I’m 19 Years Old and just drove a new Cooper S, it is actually amazing! You can hit 90mph without even realising!
vin. how does that work? and someone explain moving the front of the car 10cm please
fantastic launch!
“Brush with a bollard”? Crazy Brits. Drive around the immovable objects!
<blockquote>blalor Nov 18th, 2006 Link
“Brush with a bollard� Crazy Brits. Drive around the immovable objects!</blockquote>
Do a YouTube search for “Manchester Bollard” and you will see why you can’t drive around them.
Cheers,
Jack
Yes the video of the Manchester Bollards is pretty funny.
<blockquote>vin. how does that work? </blockquote>
Just kidding, I have no idea what the VED tax scale is. But I’m guessing being on the low end of it is a good thing.
vin.
Has anyone posted any photos or video from any of the events?
Maybe we’ll get some photos soon of different colors. I’m sick of red and blue.
I believe someone on NAM has spotted (and took a pic of) Oxygen Blue!!
>I believe someone on NAM has spotted (and took a pic of) Oxygen Blue!!
There are oxygen blue color chips and promotional material floating around out there now so I’d be surprised if there weren’t pics up somewhere at this point.
As we’ve reported here on MF, Oxygen Blue won’t be available until 03/2007 production and will only be available on the MC
Cars delivered in UK have the aero kit seen on the JCW microsite. Is it safe to assume that there is no difference between the JCW aero kit and the aero kit that comes with the hyper-sport package contrary to what was previously suggested?
Same thing over here in Holland (I think all over Europe?). I didn’t get the privilege to drive an S, but I did drive an R56 Cooper. Basically what the 30 mins or so drive told me was: it still drives like a Mini (which is a good thing). And, the Fisher Price center console doesn’t feel as cheap as it looks (but that doesn’t change anything about the looks, of course).
Still, I need to get used to the cosmetic changes, and I’m not sure I will be able to.
I drove the new S this week-end.
Good:
drives well – just like a MINI should.
engine and gearbox are lovely.
Bad:
front and rear lights – both too big and too much crome. The front lights are too slanted – not very MINI like.
side indicators – far too big and nasty looking.
annoying and potentially dangerous indicator switch operation – why fix it if it ain’t broken?
no more wrap around rear window.
horrible large gap between the front wheel arches and bonnet.
hideous interior – plastics are cheap looking, the big speedo is far too big, the radio controls included in the speedo are small and fiddly
common looking gear knob
soime horrible exterior/interior colours – like the redwood leather seats – they’re not red and not brown – just horrible
I specced a Cooper S with the toys I would order if I wanted to buy one and ended up with a £20000 car. This is too expensive for a small car, no matter how good it is.
The first new MINI was an instant classic, let down by engines and some interior materials – the new version is the MINI equivalent of the new VW Beatle – looks good, has a better engine/gearbox, but certainly doesn’t reach the spot.
I expect the values of the MK1 new MINI to stay high…