Spied - India-friendly 2015 Mini five-door spotted undisguised at an air cargo station

The 2015 Mini five-door hatchback has been spied without any camouflage upon its arrival on an Air France flight at what appears to be an airport cargo area.

Shoeb had rendered this variant last month taking hints from the three-door Mini (that world premiered in November) and the body shell spied by a British publication at the factory. The extra doors will go down well with Indian customers who are averse to three-door cars in general, and if it gets the 2.0L diesel engine option, it gives the Mini brand a volume puller in India.

To generate room for the rear doors, Mini had to shrink the front doors as seen in the spyshots. The rear doors are smaller than what we imagined, and access to the rear seat would be tight. Understandably, the rear bench is mainly for the kids, and is targeted at owners who love the convenience of rear doors but want a Mini smaller than a Countryman.

In comparison to the regular Mini, Motoring File reports that the rear legroom will be extended by 5 cm. The variant in the photograph is the sporty 'S' model with a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 189 bhp and 280 Nm of torque. Externally it is distinguished by the dual exhaust layout, roof spoiler and 'S' lettering on the badge.

Expect to see the five-door Mini on the European market in the second half of 2014. As for India, we don't have a confirmation yet for this variant, but we have received word from Mr. Philipp von Sahr, president of BMW India, that new Mini will come by the end of 2014.

[Source - WorldCarFans.com]