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Bigger, faster.

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Well, BMW has taken the wraps off what's billed as a bigger and faster and better-connected version of the Mini -- the Mini hatchback.

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The automaker's making a huge investment at three UK manufacturing sites to support the new model.

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It boasts a new engine and a new chassis. Technology, a classy chassis, you might say.

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Talking of the classy chassis, just look at it.

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That was the original Mini, one of the iconic brands in the motor industry.

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It first came out in 1959. Production continued until the year 2000.

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The brand was revived the following year by BMW, and today's new model is part of a $1.2 billion investment in the United Kingdom's motor industry.

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Don't call it a car, it's a motorcar. CNN's Jim Boulden was at the launch.

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Three new hatchback models, but still a Mini.

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The new Mini Hatch is the next chapter in 54 years of Mini tradition.

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The new Mini hatchbacks also continue a tradition by its BMW owners -- it keeps getting just a little bit bigger.

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This was really our key focus, to make sure that the interior volume on this design is at the point where you can say this is a real four-person car.

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That you have this 30-mil-longer [30-millimeter-longer] wheel base, really gives you that knee space in the back.

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Some of the technology improvements are already available in bigger luxury models,

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but Mini is said to be ahead of the other small carmakers when it comes to the infotainment offerings around the steering wheel.

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Mini Connected was already there, but they've just updated it. They've given it a new controller

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and critically, one of the most important things they've done is they've added support for Android smartphones.

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The press of the world paid tribute to the Morris Mini Minor.

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BMW acquired the Mini Mark in 1994 and rebuilt it from the ground up, relaunching the brand in 2001.

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Since then, BMW has produced more than 2.4 million Minis, nearly 1.9 million exported.

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The United States is the biggest market.

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And 14 percent of all cars made in the United Kingdom in 2012 were Minis.

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And BMW says, one in six of the autos it makes are Minis.

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Mini brought out the quintessential British bulldog to show just how British the car is,

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but in fact, it's also manufactured in Austria and, starting next year, Minis will also be manufactured in the Netherlands.

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Designed in the UK, if not all made here anymore.

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Well, that's a company making the best use of its manufacturing,

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but, you know, BMW invested 500 million pounds in this plant alone.

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That is a huge sign of the confidence in the United Kingdom.

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Britain now has to rely on non-British players to invest in its auto factories, including BMW.

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But its economy is growing faster this year than originally estimated, and resurgent car production is playing its part.

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Mini sales hit a record for the first ten months of this year.