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Interior |
Once seated in the MINI, it instantly feels right.
The bold styling offers classic features with a modern twist that provides excellent ergonomics and reinforces the feeling that the MINI is a little bit different. The low sporty driving position and relatively high window line offer an immediate hint at the sporty drive to come and seats offer comfort and support levels new to the class.
The speedometer is placed between driver and passenger on the dash in the classic Mini position, and also houses fuel level, coolant temperature and tyre pressure warning indicator. The LED read out for the optional on-board trip computer is also placed within the speedometer. All instruments are framed in stylish silver and, to minimise reflection, have concave, anti-reflecting glass.
The dashboard is available in various trims with anthracite as standard and silver or wood as options. The rev counter is placed on the steering column in front of the driver on MINI Cooper, maintaining the sporty emphasis associated with the Cooper name. This is an option for MINI One. If the satellite navigation system is ordered, the speedo
is also moved to the steering column and located next to the rev
counter, with the satellite navigation screen placed centrally on the
dashboard. The dashboard also contains the air vents, the standard
passenger airbag and a deep storage shelf.
The MINI's steering column is height-adjustable and the standard, leather-look steering wheel sports a distinctive two-spoke design and driver's airbag. Leather, leather and wood steering wheels and a multi-function system that allows fingertip control of the stereo and cruise control systems are available as options. If the Steptronic CVT automatic transmission is chosen, it can also be operated from the steering wheel, as an additional option, usually associated with luxury sports cars.
The original appeal of the MINI was again the influence for the dashboard's center console, which is framed and supported by aluminum-look struts. The console houses the stereo, ventilation controls and rear demister switches, along with switches for the optional air-conditioning and heated windscreen.
Toggle switches at the base of the console echo the switchgear of the original Mini. Operating the electric windows, central locking and optional fog lamps, they are shielded to meet today's safety requirements. These switches are sprung to return to the central position after operation, and those for the fog lamps have light diodes on the ends to show that they are switched on.
The seats give excellent comfort and support, including lateral support to help hold the driver and passenger in place during enthusiastic driving. They also have integrated side airbags.
The interior offers a range of color and trim combinations that allow personalization - a famous asset of the car. There is a choice of seat materials including standard fabric and an optional fabric-leather combination or any of three model-specific leather ranges. Height adjustment is provided as standard for the driver and as an option for the passenger. Sports seats, lumbar support and two-level seat heating are all options.
Rear passengers have easy access. Doors open to 80 degrees and the driver and front passenger seats fold down and then move forward. The seat returns to its initial position through a mechanical memory mechanism. The bucket-style rear seats, combined with indents in the rear of the front seats and relatively high roofline, allow six-feet-tall passengers to sit comfortably in the rear. With the original Issigonis concept in mind, the MINI contains the maximum possible interior space and specification for today's customer requirements from the minimum external size.
The rear seat splits 50:50 and with both seat backs folded increases the boot capacity from 150 liters to a highly practical 670 liters. The latches to release the rear seat backs are conveniently located in the boot. The handles are not visible from the outside - a small, but subtle security feature. The seats also fold more easily than in any other small car due to a special kinematics mechanism.
The rear seats have been designed to accommodate the ISOFIX child seat system with the standardized fixing systems available as an option.
The MINI's door design is a major feature of the car's interior. The design of the arm rest matches the design of the center console. The arm rest and storage compartment in the door are stylishly framed in anthracite, with silver as an option, and the surface of the arm rest is covered as standard with black leather in MINI Cooper, (fabric in MINI One).
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