This is the renewal of a British classic that celebrates 20 years in the country

On a splendid sunny afternoon, the gardens of the British Embassy Residence in Buenos Aires offered the perfect setting for the public presentation of three new models of MINIan icon of the global automotive industry: the MINI Cooper, in its three and five door versions, and the MINI Countryman. They were the protagonists of an event that, two decades after the brand’s arrival in Argentina, was ideal to celebrate a unique legacy of its kind.

With 65 years of successful history worldwide, the fifth generation of the MINI Cooper Not only does it keep intact that identity that makes it classic, but it accentuates it. And it adds a cutting-edge evolution in terms of technology and connectivity.

At the event, hosted by journalist Nacho Otero, local and regional BMW Group executives were present, accompanied by the British Ambassador in Argentina, members of the Embassies of the United Kingdom and Germany, members of the MINI Club, journalists, dealers and friends of the brand. He also managed to bring together classic models, some emblematic vehicles from the 20 years of the brand in the country and the new models presented.

The new MINI family arrives in Argentina with three- and five-door bodies (same as the previous generation), which are already available in the country with two engine options and a new nomenclature system that also applies to the Countryman: Now MINI uses the C for its entry-level versions, the most traditional, while maintaining the classic S for the most powerful ones..

“The launch of the new family of products signals a total renewal for MINI in Argentina. Without a doubt, these are highly anticipated products for all those who value the different lifestyle offered by MINI, a brand that continues to represent the entire British heritage,” he said. the CEO of BMW Group Argentina, Ivana Dip.

So, C vehicles have a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder Mini TwinPower Turbo enginewhich associated with a seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivers 156 HP of power and about 230 Nm of torque to the front axle.

For its part, The radical S variants come equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder block to push up to 204 HP and 300 Nm of torque between 1,450 and 4,500 rpm. The same drivers are repeated in the brand’s SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle), the MINI Countryman, which in the most powerful variant offers the MINI All4 intelligent all-wheel drive, which provides it with capabilities without losing sight of the agile and fun imprint so characteristic. of a MINI.

“Since its global relaunch by the BMW Group in 2000, MINI has been an extremely successful brand, with that driving sensation that makes its products feel like a go-kart.“, he graphed about it the Sales and Network Development Manager of BMW and MINI, Leandro Larregina.

In terms of design, both products (MINi Cooper and Countryman) present an evolved aesthetic that respects the essence of MINI, but take their premium sports spirit to another level thanks to the new design language of the British house, called Charismatic Simplicity.

This allows you to combine trademark elements, such as the round headlights of the MINI Cooperwith advances such as the new octagonal grille, thus giving its nose a classic and modern imprint in equal parts.

This logic also applies to the five-door body, which respects the unmistakable silhouette of the model but, being 172 mm longer, can also extend its wheelbase for greater space and comfort in the cabin. “This is a variant that makes it a compact urban vehicle but extremely friendly for family use”, Larregina pondered about it.

The MINI Cooper comes standard with an electric panoramic roof, LED headlights with range adjustment and 17” wheels, while the S versions add a configurable light pattern for the headlights and rear lights.

As for these exterior details, the MINI Countrymanwhich grows significantly compared to its predecessor to offer an even more comfortable and spacious cabin, has similar equipment to the Cooper, and its versions are distinguished above all by the wheels: 17” for the C Classic version, 18” for the S All4 Classic Confort and 19” in two tones for the S All4 Favored.

Minimalism and clean lines are historically key in the interior of all MINIs.and these new releases respect tradition: the slim board stands out the 240 mm diameter circular OLED screen that pays homage to the historic MINI speedometeralso located in the center of the panel. But unlike those, this one is controlled through touch and voice, and is perfectly complemented by the new multifunction steering wheel, which also comes heated as standard.

Likewise, all products now have a command bar that houses the most important driving functions, such as the parking brake, the gear selector or the Start/Stop button, which allows you to free up space in the driver’s seat area. gear selector and thus give way to a wireless charging base. All of this is completed with MINI Experiences, a command that allows you to intervene in the interior lighting settings and configure the vehicle to suit the driver.

In that sense, the Countryman S All4 Favored offers exclusive differentials such as John Cooper Works electric and sports seats, the foldable MINI Head-up Display and a Harman Kardon sound system with 12 speakers.

In this section there is no room to go less, and that is why both the new MINI Cooper and the Countryman versions come all equipped with virtually the same extended safety standard as standard.

The technological pack begins with the Driving Assistant, which offers lane change warning, rear cross traffic monitoring and detection of vehicles in the blind spot, as well as a parking assistant with front and rear sensors, reversing camera, 360 cameras ° with panoramic and 3D view, dynamic stability and traction controls, cornering braking control (CBC), tire pressure loss alert and collision sensor, among others.

Besides, the complete range introduces free MINI Connected serviceswhich facilitate intelligent emergency calling and support from Roadside Assistance, available 24 hours a day. Likewise, all allow the use of the MINI Digital Key to access and start the vehicle with the cell phone.

The biggest differential in this section is also found in the S variants, and it is the Remote 3D View function to take photos from a distance. “Wherever we are, we will be able to see the surroundings of the vehicle,” Larregina highlighted.

With a warranty of 3 years or 200 thousand kilometerswhichever comes first, the new MINI Cooper It is manufactured in the BMW Group plant in Oxford, England, and is available in all the brand’s dealerships in Argentina with a price of US$48,900 for the three-door C version and US$49,900 for the five-door C. and US$59,900 and US$62,200 for the three- and five-door S variants, respectively.

For his part, the MINI Countrymanwhich arrives from Leipzig, Germany, has a list price of US$63,900 in its C Classic version, while the all-wheel drive variants S All4 Classic Confort and S All4 Favored are sold for US$69,900 and US$77,900, respectively.