MINI Philippines is formally introducing the value-oriented MINI One line-up starting this June as a way to allay the price increase due to TRAIN. Available in both 3- and 5-door variants, the MINI One slots below the Cooper to become the brand’s most affordable offering.

The biggest difference is found in the engine. Whereas the MINI Cooper has a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, the MINI One downsizes that to a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine. Still feature TwinPower Turbo, the MINI One ekes out 102 horsepower at 4,000 to 6,000 rpm and 180 Nm of torque from 1,400 to 3,900 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed automatic, it offers a slightly lower straight-line performance: 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and a 195 km/h top speed.

Nonetheless, the MINI One manages to keep the vaunted go-kart feeling with its single-joint spring strut front suspension and rear multi-link suspension. Everything from the suspension’s geometry, material selection, and even tuning are all optimized for spirited everyday handling and comfort. And like the bigger engined MINI Cooper, the MINI One has anti-lock brakes, Cornering Brake Control, and Dynamic Stability Control fitted with the drive-off assistant.


Outside, the MINI One can be speced to look similar to the MINI Cooper, but its differentiated by its flat hood (no power dome), unique front bumpers, and a high-gloss black grille with a chrome surround. It also gets halogen headlights and 15-inch alloy wheels with 175/65 R 15 tires as standard.

Inside, it gets fabric seats, orange-colored ambient lighting, and LED interior lights, manual air conditioning, and a simpler MINI Radio system with aux-in and USB. Naturally, it can be speced up to include partial leather seats, dual zone climate control, panoramic glass roof, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and a sports leather steering wheel with multi-function controls.

The MINI One 3-door retails for P 2,130,000 while the 5-door goes for P 2,230,000.