The 2014 Mini hatchback has been previewed in an official teaser image from the company.
Produced as part of a marketing campaign, the photo shows the production-ready car ahead of its official reveal on 18 November.
The all-new car has previously been photographed testing in Europe, with only front and rear bumper sections disguised. Both the standard Cooper and the Cooper S model have been caught in previous spy photos.
The new Mini features distinctive LED daytime running light rings that encircle the entire headlamp unit. As expected, the car carries far larger rear lights than before.
Cooper S models feature a number of the performance variant's traditional hallmarks, including a rear roof spoiler, a dual centrally-mounted exhaust arrangement and an air intake in the bonnet. The car appears to have grown slight with a longer front overhang than the current car.
Spy photos showing the car filming its launch advert have also been taken, just days after the first official technical details about the car had been revealed.
Petrol engines
Turbocharged, direct-injection three- and four-cylinder petrol engines will be offered as part of the range. The launch 1.5-litre 3-cylinder unit gets 134bhp and 162lb ft (170lb ft on overboost) from just 1250rpm. The launch 2.0-litre 4cyl unit, meanwhile, gets 189bhp and 206lb ft (221lb ft on overboost). Both engines rev to 6500rpm, with further variants planned for future release.
Diesel engines
The sole so-far confirmed diesel is a common-rail direct-injection 1.5-litre unit with 114bhp and peak torque of 199lb ft. Efficiency is said to improve by seven per cent over the 1.6-litre unit it replaces. All petrol and diesel engines will be offered with new manual and automatic gearboxes, with stop-start.
Chassis
New front- and all-wheel drive UKL1 platform (which BMW will also use) will lead to “even more precise and sporty handling” with “further advances in the area of driving comfort”. Wider tracks feature, the front strut and multi-link rear suspension is made more rigid, lightweight materials are used, and unsprung masses reduced. Rear entry and boot space is also improved due to redesigned rear axle.
Adaptive dampers
Electronically adjustable dampers make their first appearance on a Mini. Two driving modes will be offered: one “emphatically sporty”, the other “balanced and comfortable”. These will be controlled by a switch in the interior.
Steering, brakes
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Nah. Still ugly...
I'm interested to see what
Mini
The new cars front and rear styling - a startled face at the front and clown-like oversized lights at the back. I don't know if its characterful or comical yet?