The new Minis are arriving in Australia.

The first of the revived Minis arrived, locally, in March 2002. Close to 9,000 customers have since taken the various Mini models to the roads over the following five years. Now the new Mini hardtop moves to the second generation in an endeavour to battle with such winning cars as the Audi A3, Peugeot 307 Sport, Renault Megane Renaultsport and Volkswagen Golf (including the outstanding Golf GTI) in the nation's showrooms.

Available from launch, the new Mini is powered by a 1.6-litre engine with fully variable valve timing. The Mini Cooper has 88 kW of power at 6,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm.

The Mini Cooper S is now boosted by a twin scroll turbocharger and also features state-of-the-art direct fuel injection. It produces 128 kW of power at 5,500 rpm and 240 Nm of torque between 1,600 rpm and 5,000 rpm - a rise of 3 kW.

Both cars now feature a brand new six-speed manual Getrag gearbox as standard or a new Aisin six-speed automatic as an option, complete with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.

The new Mini has retained its silhouette and styling features from the first generation, but every exterior panel on the 2007 Mini is new.

The interior is all new too, as are the engines, rear suspension and the electrically-assisted steering which helps retain Mini’s cornering ability. Assistance is related to road speed for low steering effort when parking, but gives a more direct response at high speeds.

The central speedo - now enlarged and containing audio controls, the steering column-mounted rev counter, centre console toggle switches and circular air vents are retained in the new Mini. A new electronic ignition key and the ability to change the interior illumination between orange and blue (in five steps) add even more to the interior’s ambience.

New features include the engine start/stop button, a rake and reach adjustable steering column and standard multifunction leather steering wheel, which controls cruise control (now standard on Mini Cooper), audio and telephone functions.

Six airbags, including new curtain airbags are standard, along with anti-lock brakes, Cornering Brake Control and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Traction at low speed is guaranteed with the now standard Automatic Stability Control and Traction ASC+T system, while Dynamic Stability Control is available as an option at extra cost.

The new Mini also offers additional options for the first time, including Bi-xenon headlights, Comfort Access (for keyless entry and engine starting), in-dash CD changer and an even larger Panoramic sunroof with a double tilt function. Optional satellite navigation now comes with the additional option of a TV receiver which displays on the central speedo screen when the Mini is parked.

Enthusiastic drivers will enjoy the Sport button on the Mini Cooper S (optional on Mini Cooper) which sharpens engine response to throttle position, sharpens steering response and reduces shift change times on cars fitted with automatic transmission.

Marking Mini’s maturity are new exterior paint colours including Mellow Yellow non metallic, Sparkling Silver metallic, Lightning Blue metallic, and Laser Blue metallic. Favourites such as Chilli Red, Pepper White and Astro Black remain, as does the option to choose a contrasting white or black roof.

Inside, the Mini Cooper comes with ‘Cosmos’ cloth as standard, while the Mini Cooper S has ‘Checkered’ cloth. The Chilli models offer cloth/leather combination ‘Ray’ upholstery, while full leather is optional on all models.

Mini has always been famous for its vast choice of interior trim and upholstery combinations, including the ability to colour code dashboard and door panels to the car’s exterior colour.

The new Colour Line option enables even more customisation for the soft touch knee roll and armrest on the inside of the doors. Colour lines are available in five colours: Dark Grey, Cream White, Mellow Yellow, Rooster Red and Pacific Blue.

Mini also offers more choice for interior trim to match upholstery colours through its new Colour World feature.

Carbon Black is the standard colour world for Cosmos (Cooper) and Checkered (Cooper S) with an alternative interior Colour World in Gotham Grey available.

Leather Lounge (which has fluted seat facings and contrasting piping) has a Redwood Red Colour World with an alternative Colour World available in Carbon Black.

Mini offers eight different light alloy wheels at launch, five of which are completely new.

Standard for the Mini Cooper is the 5 Star Spooler 15-inch rim while the Mini Cooper S is fitted with S Winder 16-inch as standard.

Joining the range at launch are the Chilli packages, previously the most popular models in the Mini hardtop range.

The Mini Cooper Chilli adds the exterior Chrome Line package, cloth/leather combination ‘Ray’ upholstery for the Sport seats, high-output 10-speaker HIFI, velour floor mats, front fog lights and 5 Star Blaster 16-inch light alloy wheels.

The Mini Cooper S Chilli further adds Bi-Xenon headlights, firmer Sport suspension (optional), Crown Spoke 17-inch light alloy wheels and automatic climate control, but deletes the exterior Chrome Line package.

Prices for the Mini Cooper six-speed manual start at $31,100 (RRP) and the Mini Cooper Chilli manual is $34,700 (RRP).

The Mini Cooper S six-speed manual is $39,900 (RRP) (an increase of $1,000) and the Mini Cooper S Chilli is $43,500 (RRP).

The six-speed automatic transmission is an additional $2,200 (RRP) on each model.

The New Mini arrives in Australian dealers on 9th March, 2007.

The Mini Cabrio continues unchanged, including the just arrived Chilli model for both Cooper and Cooper S. Coming mid-year is the Sidewalk Cabrio model.

Pricing (RRP) for the New Mini.
Mini Cooper, 88 kW, 6-speed manual $31,100
Mini Cooper, 88 kW, 6-speed automatic $33,300
Mini Cooper Chilli, 88 kW, 6-speed manual $34,700
Mini Cooper Chilli, 88 kW, 6-speed automatic $36,900