Subtle Styling and Interior Updates for 2005 MINI

Now in just past its second birthday and approaching a total production of 500,000 units, the one and only MINI will be mildly improved for model year 2005. Changes to BMW AGs smallest and only front-wheel driven car are quite minor, although theyre spread evenly throughout the model range from the brand new convertible to the lowly Cooper Classic, and then back to the top with the Cooper S.

The first changes affect the cars exterior, and apply only to the Europe-only One and global Cooper models. These include redesigned

After hitting its 2nd birthday not long ago, BMW AG has announced that the popular MINI will be mildly improved for model year 2005. (Photo: MINI U.S.A.)

Redesigned front and rear bumpers with repositioned rubbing strips, fog lamps and reverse lights are the main exterior changes. (Photo: MINI U.S.A.)

"Clearly we did not want to change a winning formula - customers love the friendly face and retro interior of the MINI," stated Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager MINI UK. "This model update is merely a few subtle tweaks to make the MINI even more desirable than it already is."

All Cooper engines have been fettled with slightly to produce extra output.

The Cooper S will gain 7-hp, giving it a total of 170 for the 2005 model year. (Photo: MINI U.S.A.)

Meanwhile, the Cooper S has gained 7 horsepower with a peak output of 170 and torque up by 7 lb-ft to 162. Acceleration and top speed are improved resultantly, needing only 7.2 seconds to reach 62 mph (down from 7.4) while top speed has been increased to 138 mph.

Several new colors have also been added to the MINI range, including Astro Black and the rather violently

MINI reckons that prices will increase by an average of 2.5 percent on all models. (Photo: MINI U.S.A.)

The interiors of all MINIs have been reworked too, with the legendary brand improving ergonomics, doing some subtle restyling, adding storage areas, including larger door bins, improved lighting, adding a side mounted sun visor for the driver, a new passenger grab handle above the window, a larger rearview mirror, repositioning the clock from the headliner to the center stack, plus standard ISOFIX child seat anchors and a CD player. Fourteen different cloth, cloth and leather and leather trims are also available for the updated MINI.

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