2018 Mini One small hatchback launched in the Philippines

MANILA: Mini Philippines has launched its newest offering, the Mini One, in the local market. This little car is an entry-level hatchback, slotted below the Cooper model in the country. It is available in both the 5-door and 3-door versions.

While having the same width and height, the 5-door Mini One is approximately 160 mm longer than the 3-door version despite being under 4-metre. It has the similar go-kart type handling as its siblings but at a more affordable price tag.

Speaking about the aesthetics, the Mini One is built on the same styling that the company is famous for. The rounded LED headlamps and sizeable front grille (with rounded edges, of course) will give the hint of being a Mini at the first impression. Black moulding is added all around the lower skirt of the car, including the wheel arches, along with the addition of chrome-garnished door handles, and LED fog lamps.

Inside the cabin, there is a big 8.8-inch entertainment screen which is compatible with USB, Bluetooth, and AUX-in. The steering wheel is wrapped in good quality leather and has buttons for the cruise control and audio system. The seats are wrapped in fabric and leather upholstery, which make for a comfortable journey.

Though the Mini One is quite small and compact, the cargo space is impressive. The smaller 3-door model has 211 litres of cargo hold as standard but rises to 711 litres if the rear row is folded. And since the 5-door model is slightly bigger, the boot has a capacity of 278 litres with the rear seats in place and whopping 941 with them being folded.

For the mechanism and drivetrain, the Mini One has a three-cylinder, TwinPower Turbo engine with a displacement of 1.2-litres. The motor is capable of making a maximum power of 102 PS along with a highest torque of 180 Nm. The power is sent down to the wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The company has taken care of the safety by offering a pretty good number of standard features like the ABS, EBD and Brake Assist, DTC(Dynamic Traction Control), DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) and many airbags.

You can get your hands on this new Mini One at a price of Php 2,080,000 for the three-door and Php 2,180,000 for the five-door trim.