Britain’s eighth best-selling car, the MINI, has been given a significant mid-life update to keep it fresh for 2018.
Among the updates are standard-fit LED lights, improved tech options and a new dual-clutch auto gearbox. production of the revised three-door, five-door and Convertible starts at the firm’s Oxford plant in March, with customer automobiles arriving soon after.
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The biggest visual change is new LED tail-lamps with the Union flag imprinted across the lens. These will be fitted as conventional on every UK model. They join a set of fresh LED headlights, featuring new single-ring daytime running lights and a one-piece indicator design. A new adaptive Matrix beam LED headlight system – the first of its type in the class – is available as an option.
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Elsewhere, the styling upgrades are evolutionary, with the brand’s revised logo design used front and rear. There are three extra exterior colours to choose from, as well as new alloy wheel designs and optional 3D-printed trim pieces.
Every model now offers a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen lifted from the mini Countryman, plus Bluetooth. drivers will still get the familiar BMW iDrive-like controller on the centre console, along with a new multifunction steering wheel.