The new MINI is on the way! What, you hadn't heard? Since you obviously missed our preview of the next Cooper and Cooper S, the folks at MINI were kind to reprise it during the press launch of the vehicle at the Paris show, complete with a huge inflatable ball hiding the new Cooper from view, and with a live DJ to propel the Cooper into its second generation. Five years after the first BMW-penned MINI came to life, the second generation arrives with a trio of engines and a refined new interior. The base engine for the U.S. will be a 1.6-liter in-line four with 120 horsepower, good for a 60-mph acceleration time of less than 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 126 mph. The turbocharged 1.6-liter that replaces the MINI's former supercharged unit produces 175 hp and a 60-mph accel time of 7.1 seoncds, along with a top speed of 140 mph. And for other markets around the world, the MINI One develops 95 hp from a 1.4-liter four. A turbodiesel model will be offered later in the cycle.
MINI officials for the U.S. confirm that the "Traveller" concept from the 2006 Detroitauto show will enter production next year, prior to the new-generation convertible.
Stay tuned this week for a full road test on the new Cooper. More photos: 2007 MINI Cooper S
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