MINI Cebu shows off 5-door hatchback

Auto Global Inc. vice president Brian Chua (left) and president Kris Lyndon Go stand beside the new Mini Cooper 5-door hatchback during its launch at the Ayala Center Cebu.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON

MINI Cebu introduced to the Cebuano market last April 22 the MINI 5 Door at the Ayala Center Cebu.
This is the first time in MINI’s history that it will be introducing an entirely new body variant for the famous MINI Cooper. It will be available locally in two variants—the MINI Cooper and the pumped up MINI Cooper S.
Spearheading the mall launch was the Mini Cebu team headed by president Kris Lyndon Go, general manager Marie January Go and vice president Brian Chua.
In a press statement, Willy Tee Ten, President of British United Automobiles Inc., said the new 5-door variant still has “preserved MINI’s signature driving fun, its distinctive character and refinement of the third model generation.”
“With more foot space, legroom and luggage space, as well as the introduction of two rear doors and three separate back seats, the MINI 5 Door has achieved greater comfort and practicality without compromising on typical MINI go-kart handling and characteristic,” he said.
The body of the MINI 5 Door is 161 millimetres longer and 11 millimetres higher than the 3-door version. The width remains the same.  The MINI Cooper S 5 Door is 155mm longer than the 3-door version. The wheelbase has been extended by 72 millimetres while the track is identical to that of the 3-door version.
While handling and performance is virtually the same, the difference is in the inside as interior comfort has been enhanced. Thanks to the extended wheelbase, rear passengers now have 37 millimetres more legroom available while the increased space also provides for a third seat in the back row. Access to the rear is also more comfortable with the availability of the two rear doors.
Luggage compartment has a volume of 278 litres, an increase of 67 litres or around 30 percent compared to the 3-door model. The car’s high level of versatility is also supported by the 60:40 folding split in the rear backrest. It enables the luggage compartment volume to be increased to 941 litres.
The MINI 5 Door comes with both 3-cylinder and 4-cylinder engines, all featuring MINI Twin Power Turbo Technology. The petrol engines include turbo charging, direct fuel injection and variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust side (double VANOS). In the engines of the MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper models there is also fully variable valve control in the form of VALVETRONIC, as patented by the BMW Group.
The MINI Cooper S 5 Door is powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with a peak output of 192 hp which goes on stream between 4,700 and 6,000 rpm, delivering its maximum torque of 280 Nm from 1,250 to 4,750 rpm.
With output of 136 hp at 4,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 220 Nm, the 1.5-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine in the MINI Cooper 5 Door also enables sportier driving performance than the predecessor power unit.
The MINI 5 Door is available for viewing at MINI Cebu located along AS Fortuna Street in barangay Bakilid, Mandaue City.