MINI Pepper Pack and Chili Pack DROPPED for MINI Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim levels

The MINI range is dropping the familiar add-on Chili and Pepper Packs as MINI offers trim levels for the first time in the UK – Classic, Sport and Exclusive.

If you’re a long time MINI buyer, you’ll know your way round picking an engine and getting the spec it delivers, and adding on stuff like Chili Pack and Pepper Pack. But it’s all a bit confusing, even for regular MINI buyers, so MINI is introducing more traditional trim levels.

Now the starting point in your MINI buying experience is to choose the trim level you want – Classic, Sport or Exclusive – and then move on to engine options. All very mainstream.

The MINI Classic trim is the entry-level, offering 6.5″ infotainment, DAB, Bluetooth, ambient lighting, auto lights and wipers and can be had as a MINI One, Convertible Cooper, Clubman Cooper or Countryman Cooper.

MINI Sport does what it says on the tin with JCW looks, JCW alloys, Sports Suspension and Bucket Seats and is available on all Cooper models, with MINI Exclusive getting posh alloys, leather and chrome and available in Cooper and Cooper S across the range.

Despite the new trim levels you can still add the new Comfort and Comfort Plus Packs, with stuff like rear park distance control, climate and seat heating, with the ‘Plus’ option adding a rear view camera, folding mirrors and front parking sensors.

You can also add Navigation and Navigation Plus packs (which do what they say on the tin) and, of course, you can still dip in to MINI’s personalisation options too if you want to complicate things further.

Pricing has changed too, with the MINI 3-door One Classic starting at £16,190, and the MINI 3-door Hatch Cooper Sport and the MINI 3-door Hatch Cooper Exclusive at £20,230, rising to £26,285 for the MINI Sport or Exclusive Countryman Cooper.