MINI 3 Door

MINI 3 Door – Overview

It’s a good move from the brand, we think, as lifestyle cars like MINI should keep up with current trends as best they can. Globally, there are 4 variants of the MINI 3 Door. They are the MINI One 3 Door, MINI Cooper 3 Door, MINI Cooper S 3 Door, and MINI John Cooper Works. 

Powering the former two variants is a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine, while a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo four-pot is used for the MINI Cooper S and MINI John Cooper Works. The engines are tuned differently, depending on their application.

All variants will use a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, except the MINI John Cooper Works, which has a torque converter 8-speeder. Manual transmission for all the variants is an option in most markets, but it won’t be available officially in Malaysia.

The only non-petrol variant is the MINI Electric 3 Door, which is known as the MINI Cooper SE 3 Door for the Malaysian market. Along with the electric hatch, only the MINI Cooper S 3 Door and MINI John Cooper Works are available here. There’s also a limited edition MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition for sale, although all the upgrades are merely cosmetic.

MINI 3 Door – Exterior

The most current facelift paints the inside of the headlights black, and features LED technology as standard. The grille has been updated and takes up the entire front fascia, although the horizontal centre section is painted in body colour. Chrome detailing is minimal, with only a second smaller grille outline on the One and the Cooper models, and a single strip on the Cooper S.

In place of fog lights are air inlets, whose function has been replaced by optional adaptive headlights for bad weather.
The side emblems have been redesigned with LED indicators, while the boxier side mirrors from the MINI Electric is now used across the range. The black surround of the front grille is replicated at the rear, as is the body-coloured strip in the middle.

Three new colours – Rooftop Grey, Island Blue and Zesty Yellow – are available since the facelift, bringing the total to 11. However, Zesty Yellow is only given to the soft-top convertible MINI 3 Door. There’s also an option for a Multitone Roof, which is a gradated finish from San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black. Due to the process of painting the finish, each roof is unique.

MINI 3 Door – Interior

As for the seats, upholstery options include a new Light Chequered fabric and faux Black Pearl leather combination. There’s even more ambient lighting in here now, with it extending into the dashboard and doors. The 12 colours are evenly shared between Lounge and Sport display modes, and they are also linked to drive modes.

New to the space is also a heated steering wheel that has flat buttons that can be specified in Nappa leather. One of the best updates, however, is the revised infotainment interface that have colour backgrounds and live information on the homescreen. The screen is a large 8.8-inch touchscreen that comes standard across all models in Malaysia, with an optional 5.0-inch driver information display that first saw usage on the MINI Electric.

This large infotainment screen is optional in other markets as part of a Navigation Plus Pack. Users can interface with the system via touch, a BMW-styled knob, or shortcut buttons in the centre console. As for the MINI John Cooper Works, it may more powerful but not necessarily outfitted with more kit. The interior of the JCW is more sporty, with Dinamica upholstery, a lot of JCW badging, lines of red stitching, and sportier seats.

MINI 3 Door – Features

The usual suite of passive equipment is standard on the hatchback, and there are optional packs for automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control as well. Aside from safety, there is an option too for adaptive suspension that have continuous frequency-selective damping. 

This has an additional valve that will smoothen sudden pressure peaks, and can reduce damping force by 50%. Finally, the electronic parking brake from the fully electric MINI will be fitted to every car with a higher trim level and an automatic gearbox.

MINI 3 Door – Powertrain

Standard across most markets is a 6-speed manual tranny, unless, like our country, it is not available. The alternative is a new 7-speed wet dual-clutch ‘box (introduced in the 2018 facelift) for every variant except the MINI John Cooper Works, which gets an 8-speed automatic transmission. Power is shunted to the front wheels only. 

MINI 3 Door – Driving Performance

With every passing generation, MINI loses some of that ‘eager puppy’ character and gets more and more refined. However, there’s more than enough of that appeal left in this 3-door MINI still. MINI lays on the term ‘go-kart’ thickly in all their marketing collaterals, and it’s not without good reason.

The front of the car is highly responsive, and the short wheelbase of the car makes it fell very darty. One of the biggest changes with the most recent facelift are the updated dampers. The Intelligent Adaptive Suspension is standard on the MINI Cooper S and MINI John Cooper Works, and is optional for other variants. 

It’s not an electronic damping system, interestingly, but a good ol’ mechanical setup that remains stiff in normal driving and at the same time reacts fast under sharp changes. The occupants are shielded from the harsher bumps, and the ride is more refined as a result.

MINI 3 Door – Ride Comfort

Interior refinement is on a different level from previous versions, but the MINI could still do with more wind and road noise insulation. If guests successfully pirouette into the rear seat, then there’s actually accommodation for two adults here. The level of refinement enjoyed by the front passengers are replicated here as well, although they will feel more of the movement of the rear axle, due to the their position within the car.

MINI 3 Door – Fuel Economy

MINI 3 Door – Conclusion

Just think about it – almost every other hatchback has ‘grown up’ and lost their fun factor, but not the MINI. No, the MINI, especially the MINI 3 Door, is still Fun. It’s larger, sure, but it’s no less entertaining. Even the variant with the least muscle is a joy to chuck into corners, and none of its other siblings are less enjoyable around the bends – they are just quicker.

This most recent facelift for the F56 MINI 3 Door keeps the fascia fresh for buyers. It’s never going to be the most practical car; buyers should look at the rest of the range for more room, but the MINI 3 Door is the most recognisable of the lot. It is the quintessential MINI, if you will.