It looks like the facelifted MINI 3 Door and 5 Door
will be landing on Malaysian shores really soon, after MINI Malaysia launched a
microsite on its official Facebook page,
showing the 3 Door and 5 Door Cooper S in full glory. There’s no knowing when
it’ll be launched, but it will most likely be within the third quarter of 2018.
The facelifted model comes
with a very subtle visual update. Starting from the front, the headlights now
get strip LED DRLs that form a full circle, instead of the individual LEDs that
make a semicircle from before. The DRLs also double as turn signal indicators.
The tail lights are even more graphically appealing, thanks to those Union Jack
LED design.
Inside, there’s a new three-spoke leather steering
wheel, behind which rests a revised instrument cluster with redesigned fuel
gauge. In the centre is an updated 6.5-inch touchscreen unit (same size as
before) that bundles Bluetooth phone integration and a funky GPS navigation
system (optional). Other updates include a new BMW-style electronic gearlever,
Qi wireless phone charger, relocated drive mode switch and optional accessories
for personalisation. However, it’s unclear if Malaysian models will get all the
updates.
For engines, the standard 3 Door/5 Door Cooper come
with the same B38 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower
Turbo, producing 136 hp and 220 Nm of torque (230 Nm on overboost). The hotter
Cooper S variants power on with a 2.0 litre four-cylinder unit that’s
turbocharged to pack 192 hp and 320 Nm of torque.
Those output numbers are unchanged from before, but
the big news is that the fitment of an all-new seven-speed dual clutch
automatic transmission. With this new wet clutch gearbox, MINI promises better
drivability, improved efficiency and of course, much quicker gearshifts. This
seven-speed DCT will be standard on the 3 Door and 5 Door line-ups.
