Mini Hatch 2018 pricing and specs revealed

Mini Australia is set to release its facelifted Hatch and Convertible line-up in July, which now consists of fewer variants, but is offered with a new dual-clutch transmission and class-leading connectivity features.

Gone from the line-up is the range-wide six-speed automatic transmission, with the Cooper and Cooper S now sporting a new seven-speed dual-clutch set-up, and the range-topping John Cooper Works (JCW) featuring an eight-speed torque converter gearbox sourced from its all-wheel drive siblings.

The update ushers in LED headlights with adaptive-automatic high-beam, new personalisation options, extra touchscreen functionality and tail-lights with a Union Jack design on Cooper S and JCW variants.

Gone from the line-up is the range-wide six-speed automatic transmission.

In three-door hatch guise, the current entry-level Ray ($25,922 + ORC) and diesel-powered Cooper D ($33,800 + ORC) have been dropped with the facelift, with the standard Cooper now opening the range at $29,900 plus on-road costs.

At a $10,000 premium respectively, the Cooper S is priced at $39,900, and the Cooper JCW at $49,900, all in three-door guises.

The five door asks an extra $1250 in Cooper and Cooper S only, while the Convertible line-up will check in at $40,900 for the Cooper, $47,900 for the Cooper S and $57,900 for the Cooper JCW.

For all variants, a no-cost six-speed manual option is available.

The update ushers in LED headlights with adaptive-automatic high-beam.

The Ray and Cooper D were dropped from the range due to low demand, while the increased connectivity was prompted by high customer demand, explains BMW Group Australia media communications manager Siobhan Kircher.

"For this update in particular it was all about connectivity and greater style," she said.

"What we've done is continue to consolidate and refine the brand from a variant and also specification level. It was around customer demand and what our customers are choosing to go for, and that really is the Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper JCW variants.

"Overall, customers always ended up opting for the Cooper in terms of a value proposition, so while the Ray was available for $25,000, the next step up is the most popular within the Mini range.

“For this update in particular it was all about connectivity and greater style,”

"In terms of what the difference in the specification was, customers were willing to pay that extra small premium to get the additional value." 

While the updated Minis have not been treated to a power boost, the seven-speed transmission has lowered fuel usage from 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres to 4.8L/100km for the Cooper, and down from 5.5L/100km to 5.2L/100km for the Cooper S.

Mini has yet to reveal a detailed list of equipment for the refreshed Australian-spec range, but it has confirmed a host of standard connectivity features.

This includes satellite navigation with real-time traffic and speech recognition, a 4G SIM with auto-emergency services call (eCall) in an accident, TeleService including 24/7 concierge call to make any request, as well as a three-year subscription to Apple CarPlay, Spotify apps usage and ability to lock/unlock the vehicle remotely via a smartphone application.

A 6.5-inch touchscreen is featured on the Cooper and Cooper S variants, though the JCW boasts an 8.8-inch touchscreen along with a touch controller pad and wireless phone charging.

Ms Kircher suggested that the addition of these tech features was a direct response to Mini customer demands.

Mini has confirmed a host of standard connectivity features.

"It continues to go back to what a Mini customer demands and their level of connectivity and digital access that they demand, and one of those is Apple CarPlay" she said.

"So Mini has decided in Australia to answer those customer demands and make it standard across the range. The Mini buyer in particular is incredibly tech-savvy, they have that lifestyle where they are always on the go and on their devices."

Mini will also introduce 3D printing personalisation, allowing customers to print specific words or icons to be applied on the front three-quarter vent and passenger-side dashboard mold, and the puddle lamps can be programmed to shine custom icons.

Performance is unchanged, with the new Hatch and Convertible Mini range carrying over the existing 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder and 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engines. The JCW pumps out 170kW/320Nm.

Mini Hatch, Convertible 2018 list pricing

Three door
Mini Cooper – automatic – $29,900
Mini Cooper S – automatic – $39,900
Mini Cooper JCW – automatic – $49,900

Five door
Mini Cooper – automatic – $31,150
Mini Cooper S – automatic – $41,150
Mini Cooper JCW – automatic – $49,900

Convertible
Mini Cooper – automatic – $40,900
Mini Cooper S – automatic – $47,900
Mini Cooper JKCW – automatic – $57,900

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