The Mini Cooper used to be the epitome of what a small car should be. It was lightweight, had tidy dimensions, and could easily zip in and out of traffic. While today’s MINIs are still quite tidy, the reality is that offerings like the Cooper and the Countryman have grown in size.
Nothing really wrong there as market demand calls for it. But for those that still want a really mini, err, MINI, there is the MINI One. Available in both three- and five-door versions, the One offers the same MINI hallmarks but in a truly compact package.
When we say compact, we refer to a length of 3,821mm, a width of 1,727mm, a height of 1,414mm, and a wheelbase of 2,495mm for the three-door variant. The five-door is just as pint-sized, albeit with a 72mm longer wheelbase to give rear passengers added legroom. Despite their tidy exterior flanks, MINI promises comfortable seating for four or even five people. And cargo room isn’t sacrificed either, with flexible seating configurations to boot.
Whichever variant you choose, you’ll still get the trademark MINI profile that has evolved throughout the brand’s more than 50-year history. The circular headlights (with optional LED lighting), hexagonal front grille, hexagonal side air vents, the customizable roof design, upright rear lights, and rear hatch all tell the world that this is a MINI—a modern-day MINI.
Just like the outside, the cabin gets the signature central instrument panel, the seemingly unending plethora of circles, and other bits that you won’t mistake for anything else but a MINI. Sure, it may be the smallest MINI in the range but it has goodies like power-adjustable exterior mirrors, a navigation system, even leather upholstery. And yes, you can practically spec your One to your liking with stuff like Park Distance Control, a host of colors inside and out, and various electronic doodads to make life much eaiser.
The latest MINI One is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder motor with TwinPower turbo technology. It dishes out 102hp and 180Nm of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, the mill allows the three-door One to accelerate from 0-100kph in 10.2 seconds while its five-door sibling does the same run in a still respectable 10.5 ticks.
Beyond the numbers, the transmission is notable in that it uses the car’s satellite navigation system to monitor road conditions en route to your destination. This helps the tranny optimize its shift pattern for the most efficient shifting, varying its behavior based on road and traffic conditions. You could say that this transmission is smarter than most drivers.
Moreover, MINI will ensure your safety with stuff like front, side, and curtain airbags, a rigid bodyshell, and seatbelts for all passengers. It allows you to have fun on the move by giving you the confidence to push hard.
And this is what the MINI One is all about. It may be compact but it is still a Mini with its signature handling and go-kart-like reflexes. It promises pure driving fun in a bite-sized package.
You can experience the MINI One at the MINI Philippines showroom.
