BMW Group invested £750 million (US$1.21 billion) across three of its UK manufacturing facilities to launch production. These investments include a new 1,000-robot body shop at Plant Oxford; the debut of new technologies at the steel body pressings operation in Swindon; and new machining and assembly facilities to produce a new generation of three and four-cylinder engines at the Hams Hall engine plant near Birmingham.

The new MINI is larger than its predecessor: vehicle length increased by 98 millimeters, width by 44 millimeters, height by 7 millimeters, along with a longer wheelbase (+ 28 millimeters) and larger track width (front + 42 millimeters, rear + 34 millimeters). However, vehicle weight is lower than in predecessor models and competitors in the segment in virtually all variants of the new MINI despite an extended range of fittings.

The new MINI features a new generation of engines with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology. Three model variants are available as of market launch:

• MINI Cooper with 100 kW/136 bhp 3-cylinder gasoline engine. The 1.5-liter turbocharged direct injection engine with fully variable valve control and variable camshaft control delivers maximum output at 4,500 - 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque is 220 N·m (162 lb-ft), 230 N·m (170 lb-ft) with overboost.

  Average fuel consumption (depending on tire format) is 4.5 – 4.6 liters (4.7 – 4.8 liters)/100 kilometers, with CO₂ emissions of 105 – 107 g/km (109 – 112 g/km). (52.3 to 51 mpg_US / 50.1 to 49 mpg_US, respectively)

  Acceleration (0–100 km/h) takes 7.9 seconds (automatic: 7.8 seconds), top speed is 235 km/h (146 mph).

• MINI Cooper S with 141 kW/192 bhp 4-cylinder engine. The 2.0-liter gasoline engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (turbo charging, direct injection, fully variable valve control, variable camshaft control) delivers its maximum output from 4,700 – 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque is 280 N·m (207 lb-ft) at 1,250 – 4,750 rpm, 300 N·m (221 lb-ft) with overboost.

  Average fuel consumption is 5.7 – 5.8 liters (5.2 – 5.4 liters)/100 kilometers, with CO₂emissions of 133 – 136 g/km (122 – 125 g/km) and exhaust emission standard of EU6. (41.3 to 40.6 mpg_US / 45.3 to 43.6 mpg_US)

  Acceleration (0–100 km/h) takes 6.8 seconds (automatic: 6.7 seconds), top speed is 210 km/h (130 mph).

• MINI Cooper D with 3-cylinder diesel engine (85 kW/116 bhp). The 1.5-liter 3-cylinder diesel engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology delivers its maximum output at 4,000 rpm, with maximum torque of 270 N·m (199 lb-ft) at 1,750 rpm.

  Average fuel consumption is 3.5 – 3.6 liters (3.7 – 3.8 liters)/100 kilometers, with CO₂ emissions of 92 – 95 g/km (98 – 99 g/km). (67.2 to 65.3 mpg_US / 63.6 to 61.9 mpg_US) Exhaust emission standard is EU6.

  Acceleration (0–100 km/h) takes 9.2 seconds (automatic: 9.2 seconds), top speed is 205 km/h (127 mph).

A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, with optional 6-speed automatic transmission or sports automatic transmission, also newly developed. The new MINI’s technology includes an automatic engine start/stop function in conjunction with the automatic transmission and optional GREEN mode.

Engineers extensively revised the suspension technology, reduced weight and increased rigidity. The new MINI features a new single-joint spring strut axle with aluminium swivel bearing and also axle supports and wishbones made of high-strength steel; the new multilink rear axle also is optimized in lightweight construction and space-saving geometry.

The MINI offers variable vehicle set-up using the new Driving Modes option by means of rotary switch at the base of the gearshift or selector lever. In addition to the standard setting MID mode, the modes SPORT and GREEN are available; choice of mode influences the characteristic curve of the accelerator and steering, as well as the shift times of the automatic transmission and the Dynamic Damper Control where these features are fitted. GREEN mode in conjunction with automatic transmission enables coasting with a decoupled drivetrain.

The body structure is weight-optimized and crash-optimized. Optimized aerodynamic properties as appropriate to each specific model include active cooling air flaps, underbody trim panel and air ducting elements in the upper section of the C columns. As a result, the new MINI offers the best aerodynamic figures within the competitive environment with a Cd value reduced to 0.28 (MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper D).

The new MINI also significantly extends the range of driver assistance systems, including MINI Head-Up-Display, Driving Assistant including camera-based active cruise control, collision and pedestrian warning with initial brake function, high beam assistant and road sign detection, parking assistant; and rear view camera.