With the new-generation Mini Cooper Hardtop the boys and girls at Mini->ke57 are finally creating the one body style everybody asked for and never got; a five-door hatch. We have spy shots of this new, more practical Mini undergoing some cold-weather testing. To get the extra doors on the Cooper, the car has been stretched slightly and the traditional flat rear gate now has a slope to it.

It is important to note that this is not a replacement for the Clubman->ke2526. This is an entirely new model based on the standard Cooper Hardtop. The Clubman will be getting a true replacement in the coming year.

Powertrain options for the five-door should be identical to the standard three-door. The same goes for transmission choices. That means a pair of turbocharged gasoline engines, and customers across the pond will also get a diesel engine.

To find out the rest of the details on the new five-door Cooper, hit the jump.

Spy shots

The new five-door Cooper will be mechanically identical to the current three-door model. That means a 1.5-liter three-cylinder with 134 horsepower for the base Cooper. The Cooper S gets a 2.0-liter turbo four with 192 ponies. The diesel engine is a 1.5-liter three-cylinder as well, and it produces 116 horsepower. Automatic and manual transmissions are available, all with six forward gears.

Pricing should be similar to the three-door, expect maybe a $1,000 premium for new model. That would put prices around $21,000 for a Cooper and $24,500 for a Cooper S.

As always, we will update when Mini officially announces this new model.