Mini has revealed the five-door hatchback – the first time it has added rear doors to the popular hatch. By doing so, the carmaker hopes to add an additional 150,000 units annually and expects it to outsell its three-door sibling by three to one (in the UK, at least). And for good reason. Aesthetically, it looks better balanced than the three-door. Mini has stretched the wheelbase by 72 mm, which all goes to the rear cabin, while the five-door also offers 15 mm more headroom and 61 mm of extra width "at shoulder height."

In total, its 161 mm longer than the three-door, and offers 278 liters of boot space, an increase of 67 liters. A distinctive shoulder on its rear marks the five-door out against the three-door's near-vertical tailgate. Four turbocharged engines will be offered with the Mini five-door upon its release this summer. A three-pot 1.5-liter good for 136 hp in the Cooper; a 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel producing 116 hp in the Cooper D; a 2.0-liter four-pot delivering 189 hp in the Cooper S; and a 2.0-liter diesel-four generating 170 hp in the Cooper SD. Mini offers a six-speed manual, six-speed Steptronic box, or Steptronic sports transmission depending on engine choice.

The Cooper S should hit 62 mph in 6.9 seconds, while the SD will take 7.4 seconds while returning a frugal 68.9 mpg. Mini has announced UK pricing for the five-door hatch, ranging from £15,900 for the Cooper to £20,050 for the Cooper SD. Deliveries will commence in the fall.