New Lights Plus 7-Speed DCT- New MINI Now Flies Illuminated Union Jacks

MINI Malaysia continues to update their product line-up this year, with the launch of the 2018 MINI Cooper S hatchback, available in both 3-door and 5-door form as well as the MINI John Cooper Works hatch.

Fully-imported from Plant Oxford, UK, the new MINI Cooper S hatchback features subtle changes to the styling, while featuring a new technical change that is the dual-clutch automatic transmission.

• MINI Cooper S 3-door: RM 226,888
• MINI Cooper S 5-door: RM 236,888
• MINI Cooper John Cooper Works: RM 283,888

What’s new

Changes to the new MINI hatchback are rather mild. The most obvious update is located at the rear end of the car.

The tail lamps now have a very distinct Union Jack (the flag of United Kingdom, where MINI originates) graphics.

The round head lamps meanwhile are bi-LED types, and the daytime running lights and turn indicators form a complete ring when illuminated. The new MINI logo can also be found on the bonnet, steering wheel and tailgate trim.

The features in the interior of the new MINI include an updated fuel gauge graphic, an illuminated dashboard trim panel with the stylized Union Jack motif, reverse camera, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

The shift lever is now a shorter, more modern looking knob (shift-by-wire) with the standard fitment of the new Steptronic dual-clutch sports automatic transmission.

The award-winning ‘MINI Yours Customised’ which allow retrofit components such as side scuttles (the fender indicator trim), dashboard trim panel, LED Door Sills Finishers and LED Door Projector to be produced according to the customer’s personally designed specifications.

The MINI Yours Customised Services can be designed and ordered at www.yours-customised.mini, choosing between various colours, patterns, surfaces and icons as well as adding their own text to the design.

Engine and Transmission

Engine performance remains the same as before, powered by a ‘TwinPower Turbo’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that develops 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque. A lighter engine decorative cover made from carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) is also fitted to reduce overall weight.

Making its debut in a MINI is the new automatic 7-speed Steptronic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT). The powertrain combination sprints the hatchback from rest to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, with the 5-door form requiring a tenth of a second longer. Fuel consumption figures maintain at 5.5 litres/100km for the 3 door and 5.6 litres/100km for the 5 door.

The new dual-clutch sports automatic transmission, with the wet clutches being cooled by oil, is also equipped with a dual-mass flywheel with an integrated centrifugal pendulum that allows for a smoother low-speed driving as well as ‘crawling’ in start-stop traffic.

The John Cooper Works, being the highest performance MINI Hatchback, is equipped with a different powertrain. The turbocharged 2-litre engine output is now 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque, enabling the car to hit 100 km/h from standstill in 6.1 seconds. With more power and an 8-speed Steptronic Sports Automatic, the top speed of the John Cooper Works is 246 km/h.

Variants and Standard Features

Both forms of the new MINI hatchback continue to have similar specifications level, with few subtle changes.

MINI COOPER S 3 Door

• 17-inch alloy wheels – Cosmos design in gloss black
• Comfort access hands-free entry
• Sports suspension
• Sports seats in leather
• Anthracite headliner
• 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MINI Connected App
• Reverse camera
• LED headlights
• LED MINI Logo door projection
• Ambient lighting with illuminated ‘Union Jack’ dashboard trim

MINI COOPER S 5 Door

• John Cooper Works Aerodynamics Kit
• John Cooper Works rear spoiler
• John Cooper Works 17-inch wheels – Track spoke in black
• John Cooper Works door sills
• Black chequered interior surface, replacing illuminated 'Union Jack' trim

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS Hatch

• 18-inch alloy wheels John Cooper Works Cup Spoke 2-tone
• Red-painted brake calipers  
• John Cooper Works bonnet stripes
• Optional panoramic moonroof
• Adaptive suspension
• John Cooper Works Racing seats with Dinamica Leather
• Stainless steel foot pedals
• 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MINI Connected App
• Wireless charging station for smartphones
• Head-up display
• Harman Kardon Hi-Fi system featuring 12 speakers

Carlist.my team have sampled the new transmission at a recent drive event. Read more about it here.

Anything else?

The new MINI 3 Door comes in seven colours – Solaris Orange, Starlight Blue and Thunder Grey are newly developed, continued with Chili Red, Pepper White, White Silver and British Racing Green. All are paired with Black Roof. Alternatively, Chili Red can also be paired with White Roof.

The new MINI 5 Door shares the same five colours with the 3 Door but Solaris Orange is not available and Thunder Grey is replaced with Emerald Grey.

Similar to the existing MINI range, the new MINI hatchback is backed by MINI Malaysia’s 4 years unlimited mileage warranty that includes a limited free scheduled service as well as a 5-Year Roadside Assistance programme.

The MINI Full Circle flexible financing program is also available on the new MINI hatchback. Users will have the option to return the car with no further obligations, trade-in for a new MINI, take ownership of the car with a full settlement, or simply extend the loan tenure. 

The new MINI 3 Door starts from RM2,595 per month, while the 5 Door from RM 2,710 per month through the MINI Balloon Financing program.