Mini has released the first commercial for its new Hatch (Hardtop in the U.S.), the company’s core model. Featuring Spike, the English bulldog, the ad is a play on the new model’s strong roots that make it instantly recognizable as a Mini hatch.

The video shows Spike as he is asked by his owner to get into the car, but the bulldog takes a very cautious look at the new Mini before deciding it is familiar enough to climb aboard. Titled “Bullheaded: Spike Meets the New Mini. The New Original”, the commercial has racked almost 140,000 views in one day since it was uploaded on YouTube.

You can see for yourself why by checking it out after the break and you can also take a look at a making of film which reveals some interesting facts about the commercial – for instance, the crew used two different dogs to shoot the video, but none of them were named Spike.

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