Later this week, at Helsinki, Finland, the MINI dealers will get to see first hand the new Cooper hardtop. Even though it is planned to go on sale in 2014, the first showing of the model will be done in February 2013, according to Autonews.com, which is good new for MINI fans the world over.
This new MINI will be the first one build on a BMW platform and is going to spawn around 10 to 12 little new MINIs and BMWs.
The UKL MINI (that is the codename for the new platform) was the centre of attention at the NADA convention's MINI dealers meeting but, they held back any new information because they wanted to have a proper event at Helsinki next week. The new model, seems to follow today's trends and will have a new, downsized engine. The new 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder engine will produce something between 128 and 148 HP for the normal Cooper and will be available in both diesel and petrol versions.
The Cooper S will have a new 1.6-liter engine, developing 178 HP, while the JCW will boast 217 HP. Further along the new trends, it seems like a hybrid front-wheel drive version will also be available, developed in joint-venture with PSA Peugeot-Citroen.
Jim McDowell, vice president of MINI USA, said that with this new model, and the Countryman and the Paceman, MINI will set new sales records this year, and the January numbers seem to agree.
Story via Autonews
The UKL MINI (that is the codename for the new platform) was the centre of attention at the NADA convention's MINI dealers meeting but, they held back any new information because they wanted to have a proper event at Helsinki next week. The new model, seems to follow today's trends and will have a new, downsized engine. The new 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder engine will produce something between 128 and 148 HP for the normal Cooper and will be available in both diesel and petrol versions.
The Cooper S will have a new 1.6-liter engine, developing 178 HP, while the JCW will boast 217 HP. Further along the new trends, it seems like a hybrid front-wheel drive version will also be available, developed in joint-venture with PSA Peugeot-Citroen.
Jim McDowell, vice president of MINI USA, said that with this new model, and the Countryman and the Paceman, MINI will set new sales records this year, and the January numbers seem to agree.
Story via Autonews