 The
first new MINI (2001-2006)
I am one of the many classic Mini fans who took the new Mini to their hearts, bought one
(and another one!),
and was a very enthusiastic owner of two of them.
Born of mixed Rover and BMW parentage, the new Mini finally arrived in 2001 and took the
world by storm. With its superb handling, ultra-trendy, fun looks and the
Mini name attached to it, it couldn't fail. Award after award
poured in, road tests were full of glowing praise, and waiting
lists grew and remain long around the world.
Unlike cars such as the VW Beetle, this is a car that
looks "retro" but is also a completely unique design from the ground up,
with some groundbreaking technology and engineering. The z-axle
rear suspension, incredibly sophisticated safety systems, electronic
"bus" instead of wiring, drive-by-wire throttle, puncture detection,
run-flat tyres, crash sensor and a HUGE list of options.
 
It may also go down in history as
the car that taught the Americans to love small cars.
About the 2006 MINI:
The MINI was heavily revised in 2006 and
taken in completely the wrong direction, in my view. I'm of the
opinion that BMW do not understand the mini-ness that Rover had managed
to distil into the 2001 model. I will not be covering the 2006
MINI on this site... this site is devoted to the first, original version of the
New MINI.
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