BMW owns MINI, having acquired the brand in 2000. MINI was previously owned by British Leyland, which later became Rover Group. Mini was originally a model name – the Austin Mini and Morris Mini were similar cars sold under two different brands owned by British Leyland. MINI became its own brand in 1969.

British-Greek designer Alec Issigonis was the visionary for the original MINI, which was launched as the Morris Mini Minor and Austin Seven in 1959. Issigonis was tasked with designing a more fuel-efficient, affordable vehicle amid the economic turmoil that arose from the Suez Crisis. The Morris Mini Cooper and Austin Mini Cooper were sportier versions developed by British racing driver John Cooper two years later.

MINIs are up there with the most exciting cars to drive, with agile handling and sporty features combining for a thrilling experience. As you’d expect, most MINIs are pretty small. The driving position is therefore close to the ground, creating a unique connection with the road. They’re beautifully designed too – inside and out – and the onboard computers on the latest models are particularly slick.

A Chili Pack MINI comes with a variety of spicy extras, from unique alloy wheels and LED headlights to a multifunctional steering wheel and ambient interior lighting. When buying a brand new MINI, the Chili Pack typically added several thousand pounds to the price and is a desirable thing to look out for on the used market.

The Chili Pack was first launched in 2001 and was a highly popular specification for the Hatch, Convertible, Countryman, Paceman, Coupe, Roadster and Clubman. It was however discontinued for new models from 2018.  

Coming in both 3-door and 5-door configurations, the latest MINI Cooper can have a minimum kerbweight of between 1.2 and 1.6 tonnes. As can happen with age, the MINI has gradually beefed up and is now heavier than hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta, which has new models at around 1.1 tonnes. In the late 1990s, the MINI only weighed roughly 700kg.