The next generation Mini is not only keeping up with the times, its taking giant leaps ahead of them and going big on technology. Take the “Driving Experience Control” switch for instance. With a flick of this switch you can turn your already pimping car into a party-mobile by changing the cabin’s colours and turning the footwells into a ‘Mini Disco floor.’

Then there’s the engine range. Mini have announced a brand new range of three-cylinder and four-cylinder petrol engines as well as some sexy new chassis technologies, including adjustable, adaptive suspension. The current 1,6-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine will make way for an all-turbo ‘TwinPower’ range that will include a 1,5-litre, three-cylinder engine and a 2-litre, four-cylinder unit – the biggest engine ever to be fitted into a mass-produced Mini.

According to Mini, the standard Cooper 1,5 model will push 100kW and 220Nm from 1250rpm, with an overboost function momentarily liberating 230Nm when called upon. The Cooper S 2-litre four-pot, on the other hand, will push 141kW and 280Nm with a 300Nm overboost. Both engines have direct fuel injection, variable camshaft control and fully variable valve control. There’s also a ‘gear sensor’ on the gearbox, which will automatically adapt the engine speed when the cogs are swopped.

But thats not all! You haven’t forgotten about the adjustable, adaptive suspension have you? The new Mini’s chassis front will be fitted with electrically adjustable two-stage dampers that will allow drivers to choose between more comfortable and sportier settings. This car is going to be stronger, safer, lighter and have a lower fuel consumption and CO2 emission rate, so you can be kinder to the environment.

You can expect to see this car arrive on the roads in November this year!

Brought to you by MINI

[Source : iOL, Car Magazine]