MINI USA has announced pricing for the third generation of its BMW-produced hatchback, which will be priced from $20,745 when it arrives in the spring.

That figure includes MINI's mandatory $795 destination charge, which also applies to the $24,395 MINI Cooper S.

The new car will be called the MINI Hardtop, a reference to its regular hatchback format and leaving the door open for several further variants of the MINI in the coming years.

For the first time, the MINI range will feature a three-cylinder engine in its lineup. The 1.5-liter unit is a brand new engine from BMW, also set to feature in the front-wheel drive BMW 2-Series, BMW's i8 plug-in sports car and other models down the line.

Equipped with a turbocharger, it develops 134 horsepower and up to 170 pounds-feet of torque for a 0-62 mph time of 7.4 seconds. Automatic and manual transmissions are available.

MORE: 2014 MINI Cooper: 3-Cylinder Subcompact Breaks Cover

The Cooper S uses a more potent four-cylinder, 2.0-liter unit with 189 horsepower, though each should return better gas mileage than existing MINIs, while retaining the peppy performance the model is known for.

Early European fuel economy figures suggest a 19 percent and 11 percent improvement over previous Coopers and Cooper S models, suggesting a rise from 32 mpg to 38 mpg for the former, and up to 32 mpg for the Cooper S against a previous 29 mpg. A 'green' driving mode will help customers achieve better figures.

MINI says it's kept the car's "go-kart handling" characteristics while technology and safety has increased. Interior quality too is said to be a step up over the current car--though the large circular central feature remains, as does the MINI's retro-inspired exterior styling.

The company has already opened up the configurator tool on the MINI website, with over ten million combinations of accessories, colors and features available.

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