MINI shows its UK-built Cooper D Hatch at SMMT
MINI is showing its latest-generation Hatch – the most recent creation to be built at its Oxford and Swindon plants – at SMMT’s headquarters in London. Two MINI Cooper Ds will be taking pride of place in the exhibition from today until 23 May.
With its Oxford and Swindon plants manufacturing the Hatch, Clubman, Coupe and Roadster, MINI is one of the most productive automotive facilities in the UK. In 2013 it produced 174,997 cars – equating to around 900 MINIs per day – and employed around 4,000 workers.
The introduction of the third-generation MINI Hatch in late 2013 saw more than £750m invested in the manufacturer’s UK plants. A further 700 were employed at MINI Plant Oxford and a new bodyshop was created, housing 1,500 robots which apply 6,000 spot welds to a single bodyshell.
The latest MINI Hatch retains the brand’s iconic go-kart-like handling, thanks to extensive suspension developments which make the assemblies more rigid and lightweight. All three of the engines on offer are equipped with MINI’s TwinPower Turbo technology, which helps to maximise power and increase efficiency, while reducing emissions by as much as 27%.
The MINI Cooper Ds on display boast an average combined fuel consumption of 80.7mpg and emissions of 98g/km CO2. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel engine is available with either six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
To find out more about UK automotive manufacturing, take a look at SMMT’s 2014 Motor Industry Facts guide.
