MINI USA Officially Unveils 2016 Model Year Pricing and Equipment Changes

If you’re a frequent MotoringFile reader you would have seen much of the information that MINI USA released today for the 2016 model year changes. However if you missed our report earlier this spring (what!) MINI USA has kindly put together an official release that hits the high points.

Here’s the executive summary:

– No price changes(!)
– Cooper Hardtop is now a SULEV thanks to technical updates to the three-cylinder
– New special edition Park Lane package for the Countryman
– Hardtop’s Sport Package now includes dynamic damper control
– In several place piano black trim replaces silver trim for the Cooper

Now here are the key changes not mentioned in the official release (that were previously reported)

– Sport suspension is unavailable on all F5X models except the JCW (it’s effectively replaced by the less aggressive dynamic suspension)
– Rear foglights are gone in North America (who’s up for a petition?)
– No visual boost, now only Media & Wired Packages
– No more Loaded Package only “Fully Loaded”
– Sport Package now includes Dynamic Dampers making it more of a legitimate sport option
– Auto-dimming exterior mirrors are now packaged with auto-dimming interior mirrors (separate power folding mirrors option has been eliminated)
– Cold weather package goes back to $750 but now has the power-fold & auto-dimming stuff with it
– Cruise control buttons are being remapped
– Changes to window switches (from chrome to piano black)
– No MINI wings tags on seats

Official Release: There are no price increases from MY 2015 to MY 2016. List prices below do not include the $850 charge for Destination & Handling.

MINI Hardtop (2 door and 4 door):

Power and Style Meets Efficiency

Our 2016 Cooper Hardtop will now be categorized as a SULEV, super ultra-low emitting vehicle, thanks to technical updates to the three-cylinder engine. The previous engine was a categorized as a ULEV, or ultra-low emitting vehicle. Although cleaner, this update does not impact the vehicle’s performance.

Package and Option Changes

Our Hardtop’s Sport Package will include dynamic damper control, allowing owners to adjust their MINI suspension from a comfortable city drive to track-ready in seconds.

In several locations vehicle trim previously painted in silver will instead be finished in a premium high gloss Piano Black, including the standard grill on the Cooper models.

We have also removed the Loaded Package and Visual Boost package from our Hardtop models.

Under the Hood

All 2016 Hardtops feature our TwinPower Turbo engines to deliver maximum performance.

Countryman and Paceman:

Equipment, Package and Option Changes

Light Coffee paint is discontinued. We’re updating our Fully Loaded package for the Countryman and Paceman, and offering it for JCW models for the first time.

We have also removed the City, Technology and Loaded Packages from our Countryman and Paceman.

Countryman Park Lane:

We’re very excited about the new special edition Park Lane package for the Countryman. We developed two new colors to create the Countryman Park Lane, an Earl Gray metallic exterior contrasted by our new Oak Red roof and mirror caps.

The Oak Red is inspired by the red oak trees adjacent to Park Lane in London and will also be used for the side scuttle inlays, the optional sport stripes, and other special trim throughout the car. It’s even incorporated in Park Lane emblems above the front wheel arches, on the door sills and on the dash.

Inside, door bezels and dash surfaces are in a bright and contemporary Oxide Silver. The center console is adorned in a special trim called Cross Stripe Gray, which overlaps Oak Red and Earl Gray threadlike lines.

This limited edition package is priced at $2,500 for the Cooper and Cooper S, and $2,000 for Cooper S ALL4 because of the ALL4’s existing exterior styling.

Under the Hood