The 'New' Mini Proves That Its Designers Are As Lazy As Porsche's

We get our first proper look at the third generation of the BMW-produced Mini today, as the car has been officially revealed at the company's Oxfordshire plant. At least we think it has. It's a little difficult to tell, as it looks almost identical to the current one.

The outward dimensions are a touch larger than the out-going second-gen model, stretching the name 'Mini' to bursting point, but overall weight is said to be slightly reduced.

Buyers will initially be able to chose between two turbocharged petrol engines: a 134bhp, 1.5-litre three-cylinder producing 134bhp and 162lb/ft torque, and a 2-litre four-cylinder packing 189bhp and 206lb/ft torque.

There'll also be a 1.5-litre diesel producing a more laid-back 114bhp, but with a respectably punchy 199lb/ft torque available. More powerful versions should be coming along eventually, so hopefully that means we'll be getting another hot Cooper Works edition.

In the interior that feeling of deja vu continues, where again, everything is pretty much the same. Which begs the question, what do the designers at Mini do all day?