MINI has detailed the safety and driver-assistance systems fitted across its current range, including the electric Cooper models and Aceman.
Depending on model and equipment, current MINI models use up to 12 ultrasonic sensors, five cameras and five radar units.
These support lane departure warning with steering intervention, front collision warning with automatic braking, speed limit information and cruise control with braking.
MINI’s standard Driving Assistant package also brings lane change warning, exit warning, rear collision warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Those are the features owners are more likely to notice in town, especially when changing lanes, opening doors or reversing out of parking spaces.
There is also a pre-crash function. If the car detects a possible collision, it can prepare the cabin by closing the windows or sliding roof and moving seat backrests into a safer position.
Buyers who want more help can add Driving Assistant Plus on the MINI Cooper family, MINI Aceman and MINI Countryman.
This brings steering and lane control, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go and automatic speed limit assistance. The Countryman can also be equipped with Driving Assistant Professional, which adds lane-change support, active lane guidance, side collision protection and traffic light recognition.
Parking assistance is part of the same push. MINI lists parking manoeuvre assistance, reversing assistance, active park distance control and a reversing camera, with 360-degree camera views and smartphone-based remote parking available on selected versions.
Passive safety has not been left out. MINI cites rigid body structures, crumple zones, airbags, belt tensioners, force limiters, seat belt reminders and, on most models, an active bonnet designed to reduce pedestrian injury risk.
