More MINI appeal

Jan 31 2010 Maurice Glover

More MINI appeal

FANS can hardly wait for the four-door car that will become the fourth member of the MINI family later this year.

But there'll be lots of developments for them to see before the dramatic all-drive Countryman crossover model reaches the showrooms in autumn.

First is a range of new petrol motors with more power, higher economy and lower emissions and the 1.4-litre engine gives way to a 1.6-litre unit in all First and One models.

Cooper S and the best-selling Cooper models also get extra power and cleaner exhausts. Output is now 184bhp and122bhp respectively with economy of 48.7mpg and 52.3mpg.

As well as costing less to run, the revised models will be sold at prices that match their predecessors.

In another move to widen the appeal of the evergreen car, a new MINI One Convertible will be on sale from April, along with a range of unique Rainbow colour options and the inclusion of Clubman models in the Graphite Special Edition range.

Costing £14,995, the new open-top car shares the latest 1.6 litre engine that produces 98bhp to allow acceleration to 62mph in 11.3 seconds. Top speed is 112mph and average economy is 49.6mpg with 133g/km emissions.

Its fabric roof opens and closes electro-hydraulically at the touch of a button up to 20mph and standard equipment includes air-conditioning, electromechanical steering, DSC stability control, four airbags and a rear bar behind the rear seats that pops up automatically in the event of a rollover incident.

Also available for the MINI are three new paint options claimed to create a rainbow effect in sunlight to open up a new chapter in personalisation.