Sometimes change is good, and to move forward, change needs to be done but hark back to the yesteryears. F-series MINI has been updated again to prolong its life cycle before the 4th Gen MINI arrives in 2023/2024. So here is the full low down on everything that has been changed, updated, nip and tucked or improved in the 3rd Generation MINI model line up.
Here is a full overview of what has changed in this second facelift for the F-Series Model Line up (3-door Hatch, 5-door Hatch, Electric MINI Cooper SE and Convertible):
- Simpler to the new front end bumper design
- LED headlights now as standard equipment with black/dechrome insides
- New side scuttles in a new design
- Redesigned rear bumper, LED rear lights in Union Jack design are now standard.
- Get Funky with The Multitone Roof – San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black
- New body colours and light-alloy wheels
- Newly-designed interior surfaces and air outlets
- Redesigned steering wheels with the option to be heated
- Multifunctional instrument display with 5-inch colour display
- Central instrument cluster with new Piano Black high-gloss surround, 8.8-inch display and modern graphics display as standard
- Sports seats in new Light Chequered colour
- New Ambient Light option with extended features
- Adaptive chassis now features frequency-selective damping
- Electric parking brake available for the first time
- Active Cruise Control now with Stop & Go function
- Greater safety thanks to new lane departure warning and bad-weather light
- Piano Black exterior with extended features
- New equipment packages allow for even more individualisation
MINI LCI 2 Unique Updates
New Paint Colours
The choice of body paint finishes includes three new colours: Rooftop Grey metallic, Island Blue metallic & Zesty Yellow.
Multi-Tone Roof
The new Multi-tone roof features a colour gradient from San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black, created with a new painting technique and extending from the windscreen frame to the rear. For this purpose, the three colour shades are applied one after the other in a wet-on-wet painting process. This paint finish, known as Spray Tech, is fully integrated into the mechanised production process at the MINI Oxford plant in the UK.
New Light Weight Wheels/Alloys
New Tentacle Spoke black design, in Scissor Spoke design previously only available for the MINI Sidewalk Convertible, and in a black version of the Pedal Spoke variant previously introduced exclusively for the 60 Years Edition models. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in Pulse Spoke design, with a concentric bi-colour look that creates particularly impressive design accents and John Cooper Works light-alloy wheels in Circuit Spoke black design.
Black Pack
Black Beltline, Black Headlights, Badges and various chrome trim is now available from the factory in piano black finish.
Interior Updates
New to the range are sports seats in the Light Chequered colour variant, which perfectly complement the Zesty Yellow exterior paint finish. The familiar Black Pearl fabric quality is given a new, expressive check look in hallmark British MINI style. The seams at the transition to the black imitation leather of the seat bolsters feature a colour scheme that matches the fabric
of the seat surfaces.
The design of the Colour Line, which was previously selectable as an individual option, is now harmoniously matched to the respective seat upholstery colour. Chrome has been reduced in the trim on the inside to piano black along, and the air vents have been completely redesigned and are now embedded to be flush with the interior surface. New Silver Chequered and MINI Yours Aluminium variant dash trims.
The new 8.8-inch colour touchscreen display has touch-sensitive favourite buttons, and Piano Black high-gloss surfaces are now standard features. The All-new Ambient Light option is a new surface design with laser engraving that optimises the appearance of the LED light ring surrounding the central instrument. The centre console now features an all-black surface in conjunction with a navigation system. The new Sports steering wheel has new buttons, functions and heating options, which works well with the optional digital dash.
Power
All engines now include a petrol engine particulate filter; all model variants comply with the Euro 6d emission standard.
The 3-cylinder engines, each with a capacity of 1.5 litres, are available in three versions with outputs ranging from 55 kW/75 hp to 75 kW/102 hp and 100 kW/136 hp. The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine generates a maximum output of 1131 kW/178 hp or 170 kW/231 hp in the two John Cooper Works models. A six-speed manual is still available as standard and a 7-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch. The John Cooper Works models have 8-speed Steptronic transmission.
The annoying part will be the Cooper S is actually down on power due to emissions from 189 down to 178 bhp.
Handling
New suspension brings handling and rides comfort together to amplify that go-karting handles as the new adaptive suspension, which are continuous frequency-selective damping. An additional valve acting on the traction side takes over, smoothing out sudden pressure peaks within the damper within 50 to 100 milliseconds.
The proof will be in the driving, and I am still divided on the styling with MINI as it not a direction I have like with the 3rd Gen MINI.
I am just hoping the 4th Gen MINI is more driver-focused and less artificial as it will the last version petrol-powered one before the brand goes fully electric by 2030. Hopefully, it won’t be a bittersweet moment towards electric avenue….
Here are my recommendations for MINI UK & Overseas specialist to visit:
Lohen – lohen.co.uk
1320 Mini – 1320.co.uk
Sussex Road & Race – sussexroadandrace.co.uk
Millys Auto – millsysautos.co.uk
TWG Automotive – twgautomotive.co.uk
MiniWorks – mini-works.co.uk
RSI C6 – rsic6.com
Outmotoring – outmotoring.com
ESC Tuning – ecstuning.com
Detroit Tuned – detroittuned.com
My list is made by my own opinions and me speaking to respective companies & other owners worldwide, and this is not sponsored post for full transparency.
If you got the modding bug, don’t forget to check out JCW Adventures Store or Official eBay Store for some stickers for all generations of MINIs or R56 JCW carbon fibre exhaust tips seen on my MINI R56 JCW to support the blog & YouTube channel.
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