An Incredibily MINI Launch! MINI cooper S and mini cooper debut

The new MINI, the quintessential symbol of chic extroversion, made a fun-filled splash of a debut at the MINI Habitat last night.

The hot, new second generation of the iconic car was unveiled to about 300 MINI owners and their friends. In the spirit of the brand MINI is integrative, extroverted, chic the entire evening was fun and fashionable with games, prizes, laughter, food and drink.

The best-selling small car in the premium segment boasts an evolutionary body design that continues and indeed celebrates the MINIs classic looks and feel, while the inside of the new MINI features revolutionary changes, such as the signature MINI Centre Speedo now housing the analogue speedometer as well as several entertainment functions.

The design features complement brand-new, four-cylinder power units. The MINI Cooper S is powered by a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine putting out 128 kW (175 hp) of muscle, allowing acceleration to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and providing a top speed of 225 km/h or 140 mph. The innovative normal-aspiration power unit in the new MINI Cooper also displaces 1.6 litres, producing 88 kW (120 hp) and featuring fully variable valve control. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, with top speed of 203 km/h or 126 mph. Despite their much higher level of dynamic performance and sporting character, both new MINIs ensure superior fuel economy at all times, the MINI Cooper S consuming just 6.9 litres/100 kilometres in the EU test cycle (equal to 40.9 mpg Imp), with the MINI Cooper being even more economical at 5.8 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 48.7 mpg Imp.

A wide range of optimisations on the engine, transmission, suspension, steering and brake system serves to further enhance that go-kart feeling so typical of the MINI. A low centre of gravity, wide wheel track, and the wheels moved far out to the extreme corners of the car guarantee extremely agile and nimble driving behaviour at all times. The modified structure of the bodyshell as well as a wide range of safety features, in turn, help to ensure that the new MINI by far outperforms all international legal requirements in terms of accident protection.

With a modified chassis and suspension, it all adds up to greater loads of motoring fun with safety. The already legendary go-kart driving characteristic of the modern MINI is further sharpened.

It's MINI Time!

From the launch event, guests discovered just how fun the new cars are. Even the unveiling of the new cars was different: The black shroud covering the new MINI Cooper S was actually sucked into the car through its sunroof in an almost sci-fi scene taken from the likes of Austin Powers. "We just want you to have an enjoyable evening," said Mr Karsono Kwee, executive chairman of the Eurokars Group.

Added Mr Roland Krueger, Managing Director of BMW Asia, "The new MINI enhances the cheery, iconic characteristics of the MINI, from its eye-catching, one-of-its-kind design to the fantastic drive and go-kart handling. No other car comes close to defining the individuality of its owner and we are proud to have the new MINI on Singapore's roads. We believe it will find many new homes in the hearts of lots of people."

The new MINI Cooper sells for $99,800 (including COE, excluding insurance) while the new MINI Cooper S carries a price tag of $122,800. The prices are applicable to both manual and automatic versions of the cars.