Oxford, United Kingdom - Following hot on the heels of the third-generation 'new Mini' being revealed late last year - it's due in SA in the second quarter of this year - Mini has announced two new entry-level versions for the European market.
The Mini One gets a 1.2-litre version of the new three-cylinder turbopetrol engine that powers the new Cooper.
In this guise, the little triple produces 75kW between 4250 and 6000rpm and 180Nm from 1400rpm. No hot hatch aspirations here, of course, but Mini says it'll still screech from 0-100km/h in a respectable 9.9 seconds in six-speed manual form, with the six-speed auto version taking 10.2s. The claimed top speed for both models is 195km/h.
Sipping is where its real talent lies, however, with Mini claiming a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.6 to 4.7 litres per 100km.
But that doesn't make it the most frugal Mini on the block.
That honour goes to the Mini One D, which sips between 3.4 and 3.5 l/100km.
This one's powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbodiesel that's credited with 75kW at 4000rpm and 220Nm at 1496rpm. 0-100 takes 11 seconds on the dot and it'll run out of steam at a claimed 190km/h.
The Mini One and One D join a range that already includes the 100kW 1.5 3-cyl Cooper, 141kW 2.0 4-cyl Cooper S and 85kW 3-cyl Cooper D.
In terms of size, the new range is less 'mini' than ever, having grown by 98mm in length and 44mm in width. However, the bonus is that it's more practical and above that, Mini has squeezed a full suite of modern gadgets into its little critter.
CLICK HERE for more detail on the new Mini and a full gallery of pictures.