The new MINI 5 door

Production Cars 7 Jun 2014

Just a few months after the market launch of the new MINI, the British brand has expanded its model range with the addition of the second body variant – the MINI 5 door – a first in its history.

Compared to the 3 door hatchback, the new model features a wheelbase expanded by 72 millimetres and a body lengthened by 161 millimeters and a height increased by 11 mm, which result into greater interior space.

The 5 door MINI maintains the main design elements of the iconic htachback, with the body, greenhouse and roof clearly separated from one another in visual terms.

The back of the cabin features three separate seats, and rear passengers can benefit from increased legroom and foot space (+72 millimeters), headroom (+15 millimetres) and width at elbow height (+61 millimeters).

The luggage compartment space is 67 liters larger than in the new MINI 3 door, with a total of
278 liters.

The car’s versatility is also supported by the 60:40 folding split in the rear backrest, that enables the luggage compartment volume to be increased to 941 liters.

Below we report additional details on the exterior design from the official press release.

From the official Press Release:

The window graphic tapers off to the rear, contributing to a dynamic wedge shape when the car is viewed in profile, and suggesting a forward thrust even when it’s stationary.

The wide track and short overhangs emphasise the striking expression of the vehicle’s body as it sits powerfully on top of the wheels. The athletic stature of the new MINI 5 door is underscored by a striking sill line between the front and rear wheel arches. Meanwhile, the character line below the side windows provides a dynamic downward thrust which directs attention to the large wheel apertures.

Traditional design features include the hexagonal contour of the radiator grille, the side indicator surrounds known as ‘side scuttles’, the circular headlights, the upright rear light clusters and the black periphery at the bottom edge of the body. The single-section chrome frame of the radiator grille brings out the hexagonal shape particularly clearly.

The visual effect of the side scuttle elements and the additional headlights in the front apron is enhanced by means of striking lines on the adjacent surfaces in each case.