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Friday, 13 December, 2013 7:49 PM
2014
MINI Cooper hardtop introduced at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
all-new 2014 MINI Cooper S made its debut in L.A.
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LOS
ANGELES -- Early rumors indicated that the 2015 MINI Cooper
would be revealed at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. However, that
didn't turn out to be the case. The 2014 edition of the MINI Cooper
made its debut during the automaker's press conference. It comes
with a new turbocharged 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine producing
134 hp and 162 lb.-ft. of torque.
"We've
maintained the iconic look of the new third generation MINI hardtop,"
said Chris Potgieter, Product Manager at MINI USA. "For us,
it's a perfect blend between our heritage as well as offering our
customers the latest in high-tech features. It kind of reminds me
of our classic MINI from the '60s and maybe our first generation
MINI as well. We had our world premiere here, it was the first time
we've shown the car here in L.A. It's not only a new design for
the car, but we actually have an entire new engine portfolio as
well. We now have a MINI twin power turbo both for the Cooper and
the Cooper S model."
The
2014 MINI Cooper comes with three driving modes: Mid, Sport and
Green. New features include LED headlamps, adaptive light distribution,
push-button start, heated front seats, a rain sensor and light control
plus a Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system. It can accelerate from
zero to 60 mph in just 7.4 seconds. The new model is 4.5 inches
longer than the previous one. The U.S. model comes with push-button
start, a popular feature on European vehicles. Buttons for the power
windows and door locks have been moved from the center console to
the side doors.
"We
used a lot of crisp lines to emphasize the design of the car,"
Potgieter added. "Increased head room as well as width in the
shoulder as well. An LED ring wraps around the entire center instrument
cluster. It's the first time we're introducing a voice to the MINI.
Whatever inputs i'm putting into the car, the car is actually going
to communicate those inputs back to me. The interior quality of
our surfaces creates a soft-touch feel. The sport leather steering
wheel is standard for all MINI's. Standard for both manual as well
as automatic transmissions for both the Cooper and the S, we have
engine start-and-stop technology."
Look
for the new MINI Cooper and Cooper S this March in U.S. showrooms.
They are being built at MINI's factory in Oxford, England. Pricing
has not yet been announced. However, a leasing option will be available.
More details to come at the 2014 North American International Auto
Show in Detroit.
"We've
made substantial gains in terms of quality, look and feel of the
interior," the product manager explained. "Having a look
inside is incredible. We've completely redesigned the interior.
We've really been able to maintain the quirkiness, fun aspects of
the MINI brand for our customers."
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
new MINI Cooper S features three driving modes: Mid,
Sport and Green.
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
It
is equipped with a 2.0-liter, turbo engine producing
189 hp and 207 lb.-ft. of torque.
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