2019 Mini hatch and convertible pricing and features

Mini has taken the sheers to the Australian range of three-door hatchback, 5-door and Convertible offerings, and when the updated version arrives on July 1 this year, only the more premium versions will be rolling into local showrooms.

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While the Hatch and 5-door currently kick-off with more affordable Ray variants, the facelifted version will start with the more feature rich Cooper. The Convertible range-opener remains the Cooper as before, albeit with a steeper price than before.

In fact, the changes shift the cost of entry in all cases. The cheapest hatch will be available from $29,900, up $3978 over the outgoing Ray, the 2018 5-door will cost $4128 more than the current Ray at $31,150 and the Convertible Cooper will start at $40,900, which is $2000 more than the Cooper in showrooms now.

Mini points out that the price increases are for a more kit-laden and refreshed model and the bigger ticket number represents up to $3600 of extra value that arrives with the 2018 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse – BMW’s term for a mid-life facelift).

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That extra equipment and value comes in the form of an updated look, including cool Union Jack taillight lenses (in case you didn’t realise the Mini’s heritage is proudly British) optional for the Cooper but standard on everything else, headlights are also re-sculpted and five new exterior colours join the palette.

On the inside, the upgrades continue with a new touchscreen information and entertainment system standard across all variants and models. The new technology will be complemented by Mini’s Connected 4G suite of online services, which arrives Down Under for the first time.

The notable exclusion is automatic emergency braking, that’s increasingly standard kit on more affordable small cars, but is still only available across the Mini range as part of a pricey option pack.

A number of new interior trim and pattern options are also expected with the arrival, although exact details for Australian customers are yet to be confirmed, but the company has revealed that the Mini Yours program will offer local buyers the opportunity to customise their 2018 Mini with a range of 3D-printed accessories.

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From launch these will include ‘side scuttles and an individualised cockpit fascia’ but more options are expected to be added to the new service.

While the more affordable entry variants will be absent from the range when it arrives mid-winter, Mini has typically added cheaper options later into the model lifecycle and it’s likely the updated version will follow suit.

No mention is made of the rest of the iconic range but watch this space for details regarding the Countryman and Clubman models, as well as more Australian details for the drop-top and tin-tops as they are made available closer to arrival.

2018 Mini pricing

• Mini Cooper, 3-door hatch - $29,900
• Mini Cooper, 5-door hatch - $31,150
• Mini Cooper Convertible - $40,900
• Mini Cooper S, 3-door hatch - $39,900
• Mini Cooper S, 5-door hatch - $41,150
• Mini Cooper S Convertible - $47,900
• Mini JCW, 3-door hatch - $49,900
• Mini JCW Convertible - $57,900