Here’s everything you need to know about the new 2018 MINI models – including how they drive. Related: What’s new? For starters, the Hatch (3-door and 5-door) and Convertible heading to the UK have both been given new LED front and rear lights as standard. The rear clusters are the talking point, though, with a half-Union Jack design that will probably sit very well with the patriotic Italian Job crowd. Much more subtle is the redesigned MINI logo, which has been stripped back to a simpler shape. Infotainment has also had an overhaul. The Navigation pack includes a 6.5-inch display with satnav and Apple CarPlay, while the Navigation Plus package includes a new 8.8-inch touchscreen, real-time traffic info for the satnav, and wireless phone charging.

1. 2018 Mac Mini

Just as important, but entirely invisible unless you get your socket set out, is the option of a new dual-clutch seven-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. Related: New colours Yes, there are fresh paint shades for 2018. The new MINI colours on offer are Emerald Grey metallic, Starlight Blue metallic and Solaris Orange metallic.

More customisable than ever Owners of classic Minis have always indulged in making their cars unique, and that trend’s not been ignored by the MINI brand. There are options galore.

The MINI Yours Customised service even includes 3D printed parts, laser engraving and LED projection, so you can display your name or the name of your car in a choice of different places. Just configure it all via the online shop. Feeling patriotic? To complement those new rear lights, how about an illuminated Union Jack dash, and even a Union Jack hood for your Convertible? Yeah, it’s maybe going a bit Full Brexit, but the choice is there. For 2018, MINI has evolved the popular Pepper and Chili option packs.

A rear parking distance control (PDC) has been added to the Pepper Pack, and the Chili Pack adds extras including 17-inch light alloy wheels, cloth and leather upholstery, a sports steering wheel and a Sport button. The new Piano Black Exterior option enables you to have the surrounds of the headlights, rear lights and radiator grille all finished in high-gloss black instead of chrome.

Lastly, the 17-inch ‘Roulette’ and ‘Propeller’ alloys are now available for the 2018 MINI Hatch and Convertible, along with a new ‘Rail’ two-tone wheel. 2018 MINI price and launch date The following are all OTR prices. These new 2018 models are all on sale now. 3-Door Hatch Model Manual Auto MINI One £15,900.00 £17,280.00 MINI Cooper £17,340.00 £18,720.00 MINI Cooper D £18,470.00 £19,850.00 MINI Cooper S £20,630.00 £22,290.00 MINI John Cooper Works £24,430.00 £26,090.00. 5-Door Hatch Model Manual Auto MINI One £16,600.00 £17,980.00 MINI Cooper £18,040.00 £19,420.00 MINI Cooper D £19,170.00 £20,570.00 MINI Cooper S £21,330.00 £22,990.00 Convertible Model Manual Auto MINI Cooper £19,790.00 £21,190.00 MINI Cooper S £23,830.00 £25,490.00 MINI John Cooper Works £28,030.00 £29,430.00 And here’s how they drive It’s been over a decade since I first drove a modern MINI – and I’ve had a soft spot for them that still lingers.

While many lovers of the classic British Mini were enraged by this new pretender for not being particularly mini(ature), and for being built by BMW, I was with the other crowd who loved the clear nods to Sir Alec Issigonis’ iconic 1959 design, the charmingly characterful interior touches, and road-stickiness that made it a ton of fun to throw around corners at speed. Fast forward to 2018 and what’s changed? The answer is: not much.

And that’s no bad thing. Hurtling first around the winding mountain roads of Majorca in the Cooper S Convertible with the new dual-clutch automatic gearbox, there was that same incredible grip and stability you get from a car with its wheels pushed right out to the four corners, on firm suspension to keep it lithe rather than lurching. The Cooper S has always been the model to choose, and that supercharged engine is more responsive than ever. Pop it into Sport mode and listen to a symphony of exhaust crackle and pop – this car sounds as fun as it drives.

The new auto ‘box is super-smooth too, tip-toeing up and down its range with ease. The car I drove only had manual shift on the stick, which always seems a bit pointless to me, but I’m told paddle shifters will be standard on UK automatic cars – great if you want a more involving driving experience. Even after all these years, this is still a great fun car to drive. Stepping into a Cooper S 3-door Hatch with the standard six-speed manual box felt just as familiar. (Apart from it being a left-hand-drive manual, of course, and me burning the clutch a treat when accidentally pulling across for second gear instead of pushing straight down because right hands shouldn’t be anywhere near a gearstick goddamnit.) Personally, however, I find the visual design of these cars to be more confused than they used to be. Those love-or-loathe Union Jack rear lights really should be an option rather than standard, while the new touchscreen is a jarring letterbox rectangle within a round bezel – a round screen next time, please.

Up to $1,000 off select new 2019 MINI models at participating MINI Dealers, excluding Oxford Edition, John Cooper Works, and plug-in hybrid models. Up to $1,000 off select new 2019 MINI models at participating MINI Dealers, excluding Oxford Edition, John Cooper Works, and plug-in hybrid models. Must take delivery by 10/31/18.

Offer detail includes: $1,000 off new 2019 MINI Cooper S models which is applied against MSRP of final purchase or capitalized cost reduction of a MINI Financial Services lease. OR $500 off new 2019 MINI Cooper models which is applied against MSRP of final purchase or capitalized cost reduction of a MINI Financial Services lease.

Certain exclusions apply. Valid on final negotiated price and can be combined with certain other MINI offers that are available at the time of purchase.

Credit cannot be applied toward tax, title, registration, destination, handling, or other dealership fees. Options may be limited due to product availability at time of sale. ©2018 the MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks. Starting at $19,750, exclusively for students and recent grads.Discount available to current students or recent graduates (within one year) from any two- or four-year accredited school with proof of transcript and/or diploma.

2018 Mac Mini

For additional qualifications and details, please visit miniusa.com/OxfordEdition. Price for 2019 MINI Oxford Edition 2 Door and 4 Door. Price does not include destination and handling charge of $850 and excludes license, registration, taxes, options and labor to install. Cannot be combined with other offers. While supplies last. Certain features may be options.

Actual price determined by your authorized MINI Dealer. © 2018 MINIUSA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC.

The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks. $500 Disaster Relief Credit Customer must provide proof of total vehicle loss from an insurance company indicating loss/damage to their vehicle impacted by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 to be eligible for the Disaster Relief Certificate. The Disaster Relief certificate will be available for use toward the purchase or lease on any new 2017 or 2018 MINI. Must take delivery by January 2, 2018. The MINI Disaster Relief Certificate is available for customers who purchase or lease or finance through MINI Financial Services and is non-transferrable.

Certificates can be combined with Sales Support Programs, including Lease and APR Credits and Loyalty Credits. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other Certificate offer. $500 Disaster Relief Credit Offer valid with participating MINI dealers in Florida. Customer must provide proof of total vehicle loss from an insurance company indicating loss/damage to their vehicle impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 to be eligible for the Disaster Relief Certificate.

The Disaster Relief certificate will be available for use toward the purchase or lease on any new 2017 or 2018 MINI. Must take delivery by January 2, 2018.

The MINI Disaster Relief Certificate is available for customers who purchase or lease or finance through MINI Financial Services and is non-transferrable. Certificates can be combined with Sales Support Programs, including Lease and APR Credits and Loyalty Credits. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other Certificate offer.

$500 Disaster Relief Credit Offer valid with participating MINI dealers in Puerto Rico. Customer must provide proof of total vehicle loss from an insurance company indicating loss/damage to their vehicle impacted by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 to be eligible for the Disaster Relief Certificate.

The Disaster Relief certificate will be available for use toward the purchase or lease on any new 2017 or 2018 MINI. Must take delivery by January 2, 2018. The MINI Disaster Relief Certificate is available for customers who purchase or lease or finance through MINI Financial Services and is non-transferrable.

Certificates can be combined with Sales Support Programs, including Lease and APR Credits and Loyalty Credits. Offer not valid in conjunction with any other Certificate offer. † All model year 2018 and 2019 MINI vehicles and newer sold or leased by an authorized MINI dealer come standard with Complimentary Scheduled MINI Maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles whichever comes first.