The Mini has grown, quite literally! It’s more than four metres long, weighs around 1.4 tonnes, and is more than 1.7 metres wide. It can accommodate four people well, and also has a fair-sized boot. New design elements include the bulldog-like nose, bleached roof and the 'go-faster' stripes. However, it’ll take some time getting used to the disproportionately long look of the new car. Of the additional 160mm length, 70mm has gone into the wheelbase, which has made for some rear legroom, but it's still less than in a VW Polo; the black interior doesn’t help either. Also, the small rear door makes ingress and egress a task. The rest of the length is used for additional boot space, which is up to 278 litres now.
The front seats are comfortable and spacious, and finding the right driving position is a breeze too. The steering feels a little bulky but you get used to it soon. The dash is the real showstopper. Material quality is great, soft-touch plastic is scattered all over, and the clever design of the cabin is probably the best amongst hatchbacks around. As on the regular three-door Mini, the speedometer is now above the steering wheel and the big clock-like dial on the centre console still dominates the cabin. A big screen in the centre runs Mini's version of i-Drive, and a Mini Connected App that runs almost all your phone operations. Then there's a ‘driving excitement analyser’ that tells you just how well you are using the steering, brakes and accelerator.
The 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine from BMW delivers an impressive 168bhp and lots of torque. Acceleration is effortless in the midrange and regular taps on the paddles will keep the motor in its powerband. So, the new Mini feels at home when driven in a semi-relaxed, semi-aggressive manner. The conventional torque-converter transmission isn’t lightening quick, but performance is really strong. The 0-100 comes up in 7.4sec, and feels really fast. The gearshifts can be sped up via a switch, but the difference isn’t huge. At low revs, it’s hardly audible too, and if you ask more of it, it revs with enthusiasm rather than gruffness.
Then there's the 190bhp turbo petrol, which is not silky smooth, and has a rice rasp to it. It feels raw when revved hard, and top-end performance is so strong, spinning it hard becomes addictive. There’s also a sense of endless energy, which the diesel just can’t provide.
When driven hard, it feels like a baby rally car. A longer wheelbase normally means a reduction in agility, but Mini has tweaked the springs and dampers settings to give the car more bite and a better turn-in. The electric steering has been made faster too. There's a nice balance that feels quite natural, and encourages you to push harder. The steering is a bit lifeless, but it is accurate and direct, so chucking the Mini around is undoubtedly plenty of fun. The Sport mode stiffens the suspension a bit more, the bumps and rough patches filter through to the cabin. But throw it into the next corner really hard, and the Mini delivers a lot of fun. It’s not nearly as agile as the three-door, and it does feel its weight when transitioning, but it drives quite well, and is exciting.
The new Mini launched in India yesterday, along with the three door, giving potential Mini buyers the choice between a bit impractical and loads of fun, and practical but slightly less fun. If the latter prospect attracts you, this is the car for you. It may not look quite as chunky or as compact as the three-door, and it may not be nearly as agile, but if buying the five-door allows you to cheat a bit and buy into your dream, go for it. If, however, you can choose between the two and are confused, stick with the three-door. It’s a bit nicer to look at, a bit nicer to drive and a bit more Mini too.
