Mini MINI 3 DOOR

Like the exterior design of the Mini 3-Door Hatch, the interior layout of this three-door hatchback also looks funky and creative, with most of the elements inside the cabin having a rounded theme for their design. The cabin of the Mini 3-Door Hatch looks trendy and youthful with the presence of new-generation TFT screens with round-themed housings for the instrument console and a centrally-placed 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

Buyers have the choice to choose from various fabric and leather upholstery options across the lineup. Even the multi-functional steering wheel of the Mini 3-Door Hatch carries a rounded theme, even for the buttons on its spokes. The centre console surrounding the infotainment system is characterised by ambient lighting, the colour of which differs based on the version of the Mini 3-Door Hatch selected.

The AC vents on the corners of the dashboard, lower centre console with toggle-like switches for ignition and climate control functions, and transmission tunnel also feature a round-themed design for their layout. All the versions of the Mini 3-Door Hatch are offered with only essentials, with several premium features like a wireless charger, heated and ventilated seats and other functions offered at added costs.

Taking forward the cutesy appearance and image of the Mini hatchbacks from the yesteryears, the current-day Mini 3-Door Hatch has a premium appeal to it, which only gets better with impeccable fit and finish levels and attention to detail. The good use of colours and attractive design elements make the Mini 3-Door Hatch an eye-catching thing to look at.

The front profile of the Mini 3-Door Hatch has the iconic rounded headlamps, which here are positioned in a slightly inclined manner. These rounded headlamps come integrated with LED projectors and daytime running LEDs around them. The front grille of the Mini 3-Door Hatch is divided into two meshed parts with a body-coloured panel running between them. While the grille has gloss black surrounds as standard, the Mini 3-Door Hatch can also be designed with contrast stripes running over the central part of the bonnet.  

From the side, the Mini 3-Door Hatch carriers forward the iconic three-door legacy, though the car now gets a longer design for the door panels and a longer wheelbase. The Mini 3-Door Hatch has door-mounted ovular rearview mirrors, which come with a gloss black finish over them as standard. The variants of the Mini 3-Door Hatch also differ based on the design of the 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels options on offer.

The rear profile of the Mini 3-Door Hatch also looks very familiar with the tail lamps having a compact and vertically-aligned design for them. These tail lamps further present their uniqueness with the Union Jack-inspired LED inserts within them. The license plate housing on the boot lid also gets gloss black surrounds, just like the front grille.

In addition to all these design elements, the Mini 3-Door Hatch John Cooper Works version gets a few more highlights, making it the sportiest-looking version of the lot. The list of these highlights includes John Cooper Works' aerodynamic kit all around, different and sporty-looking exhaust ports and a contrast red finish for the grille insert, rearview mirror caps, brake callipers and roof.

The higher variants of the Mini 3-Door Hatch feel more dynamic to drive, courtesy of the adaptive suspension setup offered in the Cooper S and John Cooper Works variants. With this sophisticated suspension setup, one has the option to adjust the feedback and stiffness of the ride. However, even in the softest setup, the ride quality of the Mini 3-Door Hatch is on the firmer side. All versions of the Mini 3-Door Hatch are provided with three driving modes to play with – Sport, Mid and Green.

The Mini 3-Door Hatch lineup is offered with three engine options. The base-spec Cooper has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission, which claims 136 PS of power and 220 Nm of torque. Then comes the Cooper S variant, which has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission that claims 180 PS of power and 280 Nm of torque.

The range-topping John Cooper Works has the same 2.0-litre petrol engine but with higher performance numbers – 231 PS of power and 320 Nm of torque.

The Mini 3-Door Hatch is offered only with the basics of the safety net, such as four airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, dynamic stability control, cornering braking control, cruise control, hill start assist, reverse parking sensors and camera. For added costs, one can spec his Mini 3-Door Hatch with more sophisticated and advanced safety features, including ADAS functions.

The Mini 3-Door Hatch is one car that is high on visual drama and the thrill of driving but might not be the most practical or value-for-money option. The exclusivity of the Mini 3-Door Hatch is its biggest USP, which makes it an attention magnet.