The Cooper Version, the Core of Sales

The MINI Crossover joined the MINI lineup on January 13, 2011, and was released by BMW Group Japan.The first four-door MINIand the availability of a 4WD system model are notable points.

For those who wanted a stylish car with a compact body for city driving, the MINI Crossover is an anticipated model. In terms of length, it's almost 4m,Volkswagen Polo(¥2.13 million and up) is likely its direct rival. For those who found the Polo's sensible styling a bit lacking, this is a model well worth considering.

The MINI Crossover lineup consists of four models: the "ONE" with a 98ps 1.6-liter engine (¥2.65 million and up), the "Cooper" with a 122ps 1.6-liter engine (¥2.99 million and up), the "Cooper S" with a 184ps 1.6-liter turbo engine (¥3.45 million and up), and the "Cooper S ALL FOUR" (¥3.66 million and up). Each model is available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

The model we test-drove was the 6-speed automatic MINI Cooper Crossover (¥3.12 million). It's the Cooper, which is said to be the most popular in the MINI lineup. This is likely due to the balance of performance and price. The importer expects it to "become the core of sales for the Crossover as well."

The MINI Crossover features a newly designed chassis and body, with a chassis boasting a long wheelbase of 2,595mm, onto which a relatively compact body of 4,120mm is mounted. However, upon seeing the actual car, its height of 1,550mm makes it feel larger than expected. The Cooper, like the ONE, is equipped with 16-inch tires with a profile of 205/60. The black synthetic resin trim around the wheel arches gives it a particularly strong, planted stance.

A Powerful 1.6-Liter Engine Paired with a Manual Shift

How does it drive? The MINI Cooper Crossover weighs over 1.3 tons. Perhaps because of this, acceleration from a standstill feels a bit sluggish. The gear changes are set to shift up early and often, likely with fuel economy in mind. However, the engine revs well. Since it gains power above 3,000 rpm, if you want to drive actively with the automatic transmission, using the manual shift is recommended.

Manual shift means selecting gears manually. The Cooper is equipped with a mechanism on the shift lever that allows for upshifts and downshifts via push and pull. Starting in first gear, shifting to second around 3,000 rpm, and then holding the revs above 5,000 rpm before changing gears. The Cooper becomes interesting from 4,000 rpm onwards. While the exhaust note is a bit loud, the 1.6-liter engine pulls the powerful Crossover body along.

The automatic transmission's shift shock is not particularly severe. It doesn't feature the currently popular dual-clutch system, but "in terms of shifting smoothness, this is perfectly fine," one might feel. It's commendable that all models from ONE to Cooper S ALL FOUR offer both manual and automatic transmissions. While the proportion of manual transmissions is likely low, it's truly a car that's fun with a manual. In fact, the "best part" of a MINI can be savored with a manual transmission.

MINI COOPER CROSSOVER

Nimble, the New Crossover's Appeal (2)

A Car with High Practicality That Can Compete with Sedans

In terms of handling, the steering's surprisingly heavy setting is noteworthy. Personally, I think it could be a bit lighter, but the chassis response when making small adjustments around the center is good. In other words, it's sporty. The cornering characteristics feel close to neutral, offering a pleasant sensation. The ride is a bit firm, but still, the Crossover feels smoother than the Cooper Clubman. Perhaps the Cooper is also designed with the comfort of a "passenger car" in mind.

The importer states, "Actually, the Clubman is a product targeting a niche market. The Crossover, with its high practicality, is a model with the potential to compete head-to-head with other manufacturers' sedans in the market. The Clubman and Crossover will likely find their own distinct market segments due to their differing characters" (PR representative).

The interior feels spacious. The front seats, when upholstered in fabric, are soft and comfortable. The design of the dashboard and instrument cluster has also been revised, giving it a cleaner look. The rear seats are typically individual seats for two. Legroom in the rear is ample, a benefit of the nearly 2.6-meter wheelbase. If desired, the rear seats can be changed to a three-seater bench as a free option.

Rival Car: VW Polo GTI

As mentioned earlier, the 6-speed automatic MINI Cooper Crossover is priced at ¥3.12 million. In terms of combining a highly practical four-door body with driving enjoyment, theVW Polo GTI(¥2.94 million), equipped with a 179ps 1.4-liter engine and a dual-clutch transmission, is a strong rival. MINI's strengths lie in its color schemes, such as two-tone roof and body colors, and its extensive options. The combination of interior door trim and seat colors is also rich in variation, offering a level of customization unmatched by other cars.

In terms of driving dynamics, it lacks a certain character and doesn't quite match the exhilarating fun of the VW Polo GTI. That role is likely reserved for the Cooper S, but with a starting price of ¥3.45 million, the Cooper S enters the upper-midsize car segment, where it might be better to look for rivals elsewhere.

The MINI Crossover's rivals might even be within its own brand. Evidence for this is the importer's comment that "there seems to be quite a bit of replacement demand from existing MINI owners." There are likely many who love MINIs but were dissatisfied with the practicality limitations of the two-door models. The MINI Crossover can be said to be the model most eagerly awaited by MINI owners.

MINI COOPER CROSSOVER
Body | Length 4,105 x Width 1,790 x Height 1,550mm
Wheelbase | 2,595mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,320kg
Engine | 1.6-liter inline-4
Max. Output | 90kW (122ps) / 6,000rpm
Max. Torque | 160Nm / 4,250rpm
Drivetrain | FWD
Transmission | 6-speed AT
10・15 Mode Fuel Economy | 17.8km/ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 168g/km
*CO2 emissions are based on European data.
Price | ¥3.12 million