MINI come up with new and exciting ways to tempt you to part with your money!

From 1 January 2005, MINI will be available with a number of new options that further increase the opportunity for MINI owners to personalise their cars.

For the first time, MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S Convertible will be offered with a six-speed automatic transmission that includes Steptronic mode and Steptronic paddles on the steering wheel as standard. Unlike the MINI One and MINI Cooper Continuously Variable Transmission system, this new automatic transmission
has fixed gear rations which result in quicker gear changes and a dynamic driving experience tuned specifically to match the MINI Cooper S’ sporty character.

This new automatic transmission also features AGS (Adaptive Transmission Control). AGS allows the transmission to adapt in accordance with the driver’s driving style. For example, the transmission will build the revs for longer before changing gear if it “knows” the driver enjoys driving to the car’s limits. The automatic transmission is priced at
£1,050.

MINI One, MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper Convertible will keep the CVT with Steptronic, but the option will also include Steptronic paddles on the steering wheel. CVT works without a specific gearing ration that results in it being continuously variable. It can adapt constantly to the driving environment to hand, offering both smooth in town gear changes, and more dynamic transmission slots when the driver chooses to enjoy a meandering B-road. The CVT transmission is also priced at £1,050.

MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper S Convertible will also have the option of limited slip differential. Limited slip differential increases traction resulting in improved handling and increased stability. It also ensures that the threshold for Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is increased benefiting enthusiastic drivers as they seek the wring the full performance out of their MINI. Limited slip difference is priced at £100 or is fitted as standard if a Chili Pack is specified. It is only offered in conjunction with a manual transmission.

17″ 5-Star Bullet light alloy wheels, previously exclusive to MINI Convertible models, will be offered on all other MINIs in the range. This wheel will become standard for any MINI Cooper S ordered with a Chili pack from January onwards. Customers have the option of keeping the 17″ S-Spoke alloy (previously standard witha Cooper S Chili Pack) if desired.

17″ Web spoke light alloy wheels are the new two-piece bolted alloys that will be available on all models in the MINI range. Pricing starts at £480 to £1,600 depending
on model selected and level of specification.

More new option available from January 2005 are listed as follows:

Door mirror caps in body colour for MINI One Convertible:
Usually matt black, body coloured option, £50.

Automatic dimming rear view mirror:
Available as a single option for the first time on all models.
Price £85.

Rain sensor and automatic headlight-on sensor:
A new combined option on all models. Price £85.

White indicator lights:
New white indicator lights in rear cluster and white side repeaters available for all MINI models priced at £50.
Price for Cooper S is £35 as white side repeaters are standard.

Further changes have been made to existing options:

The content of the visibility package will be increased to include automatic “headlight-on” sensor. Priced at £220 the package also includes automatic dimming rear view mirror, rain sensor and heated front windscreen.

Satellite Navigation will be expanded to include a single CD player and TMC (Traffic Message Channel) as standard. THMC is an advanced traffic warning system that not only gives visual and verbal warnings of impeding traffic problems, but can also re-route the driver to avoid the delay. The reflect the additional specification level, the price will be increased from £1,410 to £1,650 or £1,550 if ordered with Salt, Pepper, or Chili pack options.

The washer bottle will increase in capacity by 0.4 litres to approximately 2.6 litres, and the new orange indicator lamp will take it’s place on the right hand indicator stalk,
with the optional alarm indicator moving to the opposite stalk.

MINI has also introduced a retrofit leather seat upgrade for both front and rear seats, including upgrading the front seats to sports seats. The kit is priced at £1,450 plus
three hours fitting time. For a further £100 customers can add the heated seated option. Available in Mono (Panther Black), Twin (Panther Black edge with Chli Red or Lapis Blue seat middles) and Stripes (Black with two coloured stripes running through the seat in wither White, Grey, or Chili Red.