No, this isn’t a weird flashback to 2001.
At first MINI UK said it wouldn’t happen, then they wouldn’t deny it could happen, and now it’s here… The MINI One with 55kw, aka MINI Ray (among others) is finally coming to UK MINI showrooms this summer.
You can imagine how a company might struggle to come up with a new name for an entry level model when that position is already occupied by a “One”. Just picture the hours lost, the coffee consumed, and the ideas thrown into the bin as MINI UK executives tackled this difficult challenge. Europe has the snappily named “MINI One with 55 kw” and Italy spiced it up with the “MINI Ray”… In the UK it’s called MINI First.
So, what does this bargain basement MINI have to offer the consumer? The OTR price has been reported as £11,055 which includes no mod cons such as fancy Dan air conditioning or “Boost” stereo system. Instead you get a good old fashioned hot/cold air blower and the bottom of the range MINI Wave audio system, which judging by the quality of the Boost system may sound something akin to a tin cans and string setup.
The MINI One D has just been confirmed as being powered by a de-tuned version of the MINI Cooper D powerplant. The scenario is much the same with the MINI First, offering a restricted version of the 1.4 litre petrol engine found in the MINI One.
In its slightly snuffled guise the engine achieves maximum power of 75 hp at 4,000 rpm and reaches peak torque of 120 Nm from a reasonably low 2,500 rpm. The performance figures are pedestrian. The jog to 62 mph takes 13.2 seconds from zero, which is 2.3 seconds more than the MINI One. The consumption and emissions figures are the same as the MINI One, 128 g/km CO2 and 53 mpg on the combined cycle.
The insurance and road fund licence bands are also like for like with the MINI One. Options are however apparently restricted, for example the top level options pack available is the usually bottom of the rung “Salt Pack”.
All things considered we’re not entirely sure why the new MINI First has made it to market in the UK. The discounted price would almost entirely be wiped out by the addition of aircon and a half decent stereo, and the restricted options list could also make the MINI First less appealing than the regular MINI One.
There’s been no official word from MINI UKs PR machine about the new entry level petrol MINI, but when a MINI dealer is confirming prices and availability then it’s as good as gospel.
Tags: base MINI, MINI First, mini one, mini ray, mini uk
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