A Test Drive of the New 5-Door MINI | MINI

MINI 5 Door | MINI 5 Door

A Test Drive of the 5-Door MINI

The third generation MINI has arrived with its second body variation: the 5-door model, featuring an extended wheelbase and rear doors. Tatsuya Kushima test drove this "MINI 5 Door," for which reservations recently began in Japan, in Oxford, MINI's spiritual home. How does the 5-door model, with its more spacious rear seating, retain its "MINI-ness"?

Text by KUSHIMA Tatsuya

Seamlessly Accepted

This year,Geneva Showdid you know MINI unveiled a rather unusual concept car? It was called theClubman Concept— the one everyone assumed would be the next Clubman. But reality differed. What appeared before us was the "

But reality differed. What appeared before us was the "MINI 5 Door". A passenger car with a stretched hatchback, featuring rear doors and ample living space.

Its dimensions boast a 72mm longer wheelbase than the hatchback. The overall length is 3,982mm (4,005mm for the Cooper S and Cooper SD 5-door), width is 1,727mm, and height is 1,425mm. Headroom has also been increased by 15mm.

I drove this "new breed" on the outskirts of Oxford, MINI's home turf, at an international press event that gathered media from around the globe. I was curious about how the stretched body would perform.

Upon first sight of the 5-door on display, I thought, "Huh?" It was surprisingly easy to accept without feeling out of place. Given that the Clubman already exists, this is only natural. I was familiar with the stretched body. However, after gazing at it for a while, I started to feel differently depending on the angle. The chrome-plated door handle on the rear stood out, causing a slight sense of incongruity. Perhaps it would look normal with familiarity, but the sparkle was certainly noticeable.—.

Gripping the rear door handle, I stepped inside. It was spacious. With the 72mm extension dedicated to rear legroom, there was no sense of crampedness. The scooped-out backs of the front seats were also convenient, preventing my knees from hitting the seat.

MINI 5 Door | MINI 5 Door

Test Drive of the 5-Door MINI (2)

Go-Kart Feeling Intact

The rear seat is designed for three, but honestly, fitting three adults side-by-side would be tight. You could squeeze in, but your shoulders would inevitably touch. From that perspective, this car is best suited for two adults.

Speaking of ride comfort, it's excellent. I expected it to be firmer with more vibration, but that wasn't the case. Recent German cars tend to be quite stiff, so I was prepared for that, but I was pleasantly surprised. Even when passing over bumps on the British countryside, there was no jarring impact.

When I asked the development team about this aspect, they mentioned that the rear suspension was a challenging area. They explained that while the dampers and spring rates differed from the hatchback, it wasn't simply a matter of making them harder or softer. The final tuning was achieved through overall balance.

Thinking "I see...", I also inquired about the "go-kart feeling." The go-kart feeling refers to MINI's agile and exhilarating handling, reminiscent of a go-kart.

They replied that this, too, is largely based on feel. While there are certain numerical benchmarks, achieving them doesn't automatically result in the desired outcome. Indeed, it's a profound concept.

That "go-kart feeling" is, of course, wonderfully reproduced in the 5-door. The tire response to steering is quick, and the car changes direction swiftly, with the rear end following precisely. The time lag is almost non-existent, making it indistinguishable from the hatchback. Driving through winding roads, making small steering adjustments, I almost forgot I was in a 5-door.

MINI 5 Door | MINI 5 Door

Test Drive of the 5-Door MINI (3)

The MINI 5-Door: A Strong Connection with Japan

The test car was a "Cooper S" equipped with 17-inch P-Zero tires. In that sense, the rear grip and high stability were evident here as well. It also looked stylish. However, I suspect switching to 16-inch tires would further improve the ride comfort. I look forward to driving the "One" model in Japan.

Next, the engine. The 192ps 2-liter inline-4 turbo is fast. It has ample torque, providing a sense of effortless power across all speed ranges. The effect of BMW's double VANOS is also quite significant. Consequently, there's rarely a need to use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel, except perhaps for a slightly exaggerated downshift for engine braking.

There are six grades in total, with three gasoline and three diesel options, mirroring the hatchback lineup. Unfortunately, it's expected that the diesel models will not be introduced to Japan this time either. While the crossover might offer a potential opening, it's not happening now. Given it's a new generation diesel unit, one would hope for its inclusion.

And so, the MINI 5-door. Given the high demand for 5-door vehicles in Japan, it will surely attract attention. Much like theGolfandPolo.

Changing the subject, I heard a story during my visit that a 5-door version of the classic MINI also existed. It's said to have been manufactured in the 1960s for the Japanese market. However, they were all destroyed when the ship carrying them encountered rough seas. Although no documentation remains, a former staff member reportedly possessed two photographs from that era.

It's a rather peculiar tale, but such anecdotes are fitting for MINI. Let's hope this 5-door creates its own new urban legend!