One of six newly developed power units available for the three-door Hatch in the UK – all with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology – the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine in the Cooper SD offers 168bhp and peak torque output of 266lb.ft at 1,500rpm.

The result is a 0 to 62mph time of 7.3 seconds – 7.2 seconds with the optionally available six-speed automatic transmission along with an average fuel consumption of 68.9mpg with either transmission and CO2 emissions of 109g/km for the manual (automatic: 107g/km, dependent on tyre selection).

Priced from £19,450 OTR, the latest MINI Hatch model will be available to order at MINI dealers nationwide from July.

Last week saw the brand reveal the five-door version of its smallest Hatch model, due out this autumn and marking the first time in its 55-year history that the supermini has ever had rear doors.

The additional bodystyle allows MINI to compete with key premium rival the Audi A1 Sportback, and to cater for five-door only fleet policies without moving drivers up to the larger Countryman crossover.