[Rehaan]

Mod Note : The Mini Cooper Official Review has been uploaded at this link. Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks


MINI has been launched in India, and their cars are available starting now

• Priced between 24.90 - 31.99 Lakhs (ex-showroom)
• 4 models (shown in separate posts below), all brought in as CBUs
• On one hand everyone agrees that the pricing is on the higher side, however i don't think too many determined MINI buyers are going to change their minds about their purchase plans. Its an iconic brand and a style symbol, and they want one
• On the other hand deliveries start in June and the booking amount is Rs 10 Lakh!
• There will be 3 dealers in India. 2 in Delhi (Deutsche Motoren and Bird Automotive) and 1 in Mumbai (Infinity Cars)
• Only available with petrol engined automatics. No manual transmissions.
• All MINIs come with speed sensitive electric power steering
• The MINI brand was internationally re-launched about a decade ago
• India is the 100th country MINI cars will be sold in
• This is the 3rd brand of the BMW group in India (other two being Rolls-Royce and BMW).

Thanks to jalsa777 for the pictures



Tons of options for customizing and accessorizing

[Rehaan]

MINI Cooper S
Rs. 27,90,000 (ex-showroom)

• The Cooper "S" is a higher performance variant of the Cooper
• 1.6L petrol produces 184 BHP @ 6000 RPM and 240 Nm @ 1600 - 5000 RPM
• It also has an "overboost" function which changes the turbo pressure and fueling to put out 260 Nm when needed (eg. during overtaking)
• 6-speed auto transmission is a bit of a bummer for the driving enthusiasts hoping to take this go-kart for a spin
• Differences over the regular MINI Cooper include : Turbocharged engine, different interior trim, air-intake bonnet scoop, larger wheels, rear spoiler, and tweaks to the cooling system and chassis.
• This is the MINI you should pick to drive if you ever get a chance to!

Super long wheelbase for a short car + minimum overhangs = great handling


The "S" badge that you should keep your eyes peeled for


Racing stripes and spoiler




LED tail-lights


205/45 R17


The hood-scoop, unique to the "S"


A mini MINI and a mini mini MINI

[Rehaan]

MINI Cooper
Rs. 24,90,000 (ex-showroom)

• This model (the coupe) was NOT on display. Instead the similar Convertible was shown
• 1.6L petrol produces 122 BHP @ 6000 RPM and 160 Nm @ 4250 RPM
• 6-speed automatic

MINI Cooper Convertible
Rs. 29,99,000 (ex-showroom)

• Same engine specs as the MINI Cooper
• Rectractable soft-top
• Active (ie pop-up) roll-bars are an addition for roll-over safety

Aluminum roll-hoops pop-up within 150 ms when a possible roll-over is detected. Don't bank on the rear seat space!


Funky interiors


Massive speedo dial with a full-colour display screen housed within it


Switchgear for the convertible roof and cabin lights


Long pillar-less doors add to the character


Circular AC vents

[Rehaan]

MINI (Cooper S) Countryman
Rs. 31,99,000 (ex-showroom)

• Shares the same engine as the Cooper S
• 1.6L petrol producing 184 BHP @ 6000 RPM and 240 Nm @ 1600 - 5000 RPM
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• This is the only 4-door MINI. Its also the biggest MINI, enabling it to have "real" rear seats.
• Rear seats can flip forward to enable more storage room

The headlights are shaped differently on the Countryman. They are Bi-xenons with "throw control"




All-black/grey dash, yet it doesn't look dull at all thanks to funky styling elements




Huge backlit speedo


The tachometer gets positioned right in front of the driver


Center console with some cool switchgear


I'm going to use the word again : <funky> pedals


Cooper S scrub-plate (remember it shares the same engine)


Shorter front doors than the others - because this is the only 4-door version


Window switch on the rear door


Different front grille and bumper styling


245/40 R18! Wonder what the ride will be like on our roads?

[Rehaan]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line section

[ghodlur]

@Rehaan,

Thanks for the lovely pics, they are absolutely droolworthy.

With such a huge price tag, I doubt whether there will be enough sales for justifying the late entry. Indian mindset says "hatchback is a hatchback", wonder how many takers will Mini find.

Having got a chance to drive one of the Mini for about 15 odd mins (when I was in UK) the engine is an absolute gem, the pick up is great, the handling even more fantastic. But the price to pay for it in India... Alas.

[noopster]

Wow! I can't believe we'll soon be seeing Mini Coopers on our streets. This is a watershed year for motoring in India.

The Cooper S is stunning; is that shade of racer red available off the shelf? Quite a stye statement that!

[vij]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

@Rehaan,

Thanks for the lovely pics, they are absolutely droolworthy.

With such a huge price tag, I doubt whether there will be enough sales for justifying the late entry. Indian mindset says "hatchback is a hatchback", wonder how many takers will Mini find.

Having got a chance to drive one of the Mini for about 15 odd mins (when I was in UK) the engine is an absolute gem, the pick up is great, the handling even more fantastic. But the price to pay for it in India... Alas.

Its not about Indian mentality IMO - Its about a sensible mentality. Mini Cooper doesnt have enough oomph/badge/status etc worldwide to warrant USD50,000. Try selling it for USD50k in US. People will probably put the entire dealership and the BMW bosses in the loony bin.

[Shreyas Aterkar]

Rehaan, amazing pics once again. And as you said, really funky stuff. Love the mini. Awaiting to see them on road. Have been eagerly waiting for these to launched in India since the first time I saw the countryman review on car and bike show. Sad, that these are CBUs and priced quite high and beyond my reach as of now.

[S_U_N]

Excellent pictures. The cars look fantastic - all of them.
No one will complain about the speedo at the center or the white seats, I hope.

Every small bit of the car seems to have an element of style in it.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by Rehaan

Attachment 867737
MINI (Cooper S) Countryman
Rs. 31,99,000 (ex-showroom)
• Shares the same engine as the Cooper S
• 1.6L petrol producing 184 BHP @ 6000 RPM and 240 Nm @ 1600 - 5000 RPM
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• This is the only 4-door MINI. Its also the biggest MINI, enabling it to have "real" rear seats.
• Rear seats can flip forward to enable more storage room

Thanks Rehaan. If any idea if they offering ALL4 (AWD) option for the Countryman in India?

Originally Posted by vij

Its not about Indian mentality IMO - Its about a sensible mentality. Mini Cooper doesnt have enough oomph/badge/status etc worldwide to warrant USD50,000. Try selling it for USD50k in US. People will probably put the entire dealership and the BMW bosses in the loony bin.

I am sure Mini will have takers in our country. IMHO, it does not really work if we start comparing with the price points in other markets, especially the US. There are markets which are more expensive than India as well. For e.g.; a Suzuki Swift 1.4 petrol cost around USD 65K in the place I live. And the Countryman Cooper S costs around USD 150K

[W.A.G.7]

25-32 L?? Not a really good price. Somewhat lower it should have been. The numbers will tell the story soon. And only a petrol engined automatic option? Not a very good decision again. Actually, do they sell these cars with a diesel engine in the rest of the world?

Also, don't you think there is too much chrome involved? I thought it looked a bit gaudy on the cars. They could have toned it down a little bit for that subtle yet classy look.

[neil.jericho]

Great pictures but those prices are earth shattering! I would love to see the Mini on our roads but each time I see one go by, I know I am going to be thinking - Wow, that guy got ripped off big time.

Also given how ridiculous the rear leg room is in the convertible, I think the only person who can sit in the back seat is Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four

[Swanand Inamdar]

Its an iconic car for sure. Had driven one for a very short period, and absolutely fell in love with the 'S'.

Pricing is a downer though. Bummer.

However, it would be great to see MINI's on our streets now.

Lovely pictures there, Rehaan. Loved the racing red MINI S.

[vij]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Thanks Rehaan. If any idea if they offering ALL4 (AWD) option for the Countryman in India?


I am sure Mini will have takers in our country. IMHO, it does not really work if we start comparing with the price points in other markets, especially the US. There are markets which are more expensive than India as well. For e.g.; a Suzuki Swift 1.4 petrol cost around USD 65K in the place I live. And the Countryman Cooper S costs around USD 150K

Where you live - is the Mini Cooper (non S) much more expensive than the BMW X1?