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  • CAR REVIEW | Mini Cooper S

    It seems barely believable that the first ‘new’ MINI was launched fifteen years ago before going on sale in 2001.

    Since that car’s introduction, we’ve seen the release of cabriolet, coupe, roadster and even crossover models with the iconic nametag. At the core of the range has always been the three-door hatchback, something which isn’t changing any time soon. All the more reason to look at this model, especially in potent Cooper S guise.

    Now on its third generation, the MINI has grown in all dimensions when compared to its predecessors to give improved safety and more room inside. While lesser models have shrunk in the engine department, the Cooper S now has a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine under the bonnet. Unsurprisingly power and torque are increased although not at the expense of fuel economy according to MINI.

    From the outside, the new model is unmistakably a MINI. Although it may have puffed-out cheeks and rear lights that look too big for the tail of the car, it’s still a cute little thing. Being a Cooper S, there are twin tailpipes out back, a jutting front spoiler and of course a letterbox air-intake on the bonnet. Inside will be recognisable to many as well; there’s the familiar circular theme running through the interior along with the usual row of toggle switches.

    It all feels more premium than ever before inside especially if you start opting for some of the swankier trim pieces. One option I’d definitely recommend is the head-up display that projects your speed, sat-nav instructions and other information directly into your line-of-sight. Anything that lets you keep your eyes on the road is a good thing in my book. I loved the rotary controller for the infotainment system too, much easier than a touchscreen. While it may be bigger inside, the boot is still on the small side while taller adults may be cramped in the rear seats.

    Not that you generally buy a MINI for practicality of course. Alongside those retro looks, you’ll probably be drawn to the driving dynamics the brand has always prided itself in. Despite the increase in size, the Cooper S still proves a playful companion on a country road, especially with the driving mode dialled round to ‘sport’. There are also ‘mid’ and ‘green’ modes for when you want to drive normally or as fuel efficiently as possible.

    It’s with the Cooper S in ‘sport’ that it really comes alive though. Throttle response is sharpened to allow you to tap into all 192bhp with ease while the exhaust makes some fantastic pops and crackles when you come off the throttle. The steering may not be as communicative as older versions but it is precise and well weighted. Handling is neutral but ultimately safe although there is still noticeable torque-steer at times. Overall I found it to be huge fun though.

    It isn’t all good news however. On top of the small boot, it can get expensive; you can easily spend over £25,000 with a few choice options ticked. While the MINI comes with a decent amount of standard kit including air-con, a Bluetooth connection and even a digital radio, many will want to spend more to get sat-nav, bigger wheels and other items to personalise their car. Economy won’t be brilliant with the Cooper S either; enjoy yourself and expect to average a low 30’s mpg figure. This is at least on par with other similar hot hatchbacks.

    In summary, the MINI is still a more style-led choice of hatchback than a Ford Fiesta or even Audi A1 for example. While it may not have quite as much space as many rivals and can become expensive quickly, it’s impossible to dislike once you’ve spent a decent amount of time behind the wheel. Not only does it drive well, the interior is well made and attractive too. It’s also worth remembering the One and Cooper models are cheaper to buy and run should you not be interested in going quickly. If you’re searching for a supermini, the MINI has a lot going for it.

    Pros

    Handling

    Interior quality

    Infotainment system

    Cons

    Inflated looks

    Small boot

    Gets expensive with options

    The Lowdown

    Car – MINI Cooper S

    Price – £18,840

    Power – 192bhp

    0-62mph – 6.8 seconds

    Top Speed – 146mph

    Co2 – 133g/km

  • Top 10 Cars From The Detroit Motorshow 2015

    Held in the Cobo Hall, the North American International Auto Show 2015 saw a number of genuine surprises, especially for performance car fans. Here’s my pick of the new metal.

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  • USED CAR REVIEW: Mini One D: Fun, Ecomonical But Expensive

    For years, if you were after a premium supermini there was only one choice, BMW’s Mini. Launched a barely believable 14 years ago, the ‘New’ Mini was available in 3 main trim levels, One, Cooper and Cooper S.

    The majority of cars would leave the factory with a 1.6 petrol offering between 89 and 170 bhp, giving performance that ranged from reasonable to rapid. Power wasn’t the issue though, fuel economy was. It’s for this reason that I would suggest hunting out the much rarer first generation One D.

    Introduced in 2003 and produced up to 2006, the D came with a 1.4 litre turbocharged diesel engine good for 75 bhp and more importantly, over 50 mpg. This engine actually came from Toyota and was shared with the Yaris. As you would expect, this engine is virtually bulletproof and has the advantage of a chain driven cam. In layman’s terms, this means you avoid costly cambelt changes that are needed for most other cars. If 75bhp isn’t enough for you (0-60 takes almost 13 seconds) then look for a post 2005 car which gained another 20 bhp. The more powerful engine can be identified by a plastic engine cover that the lower powered model does without.

    If there’s one thing to remember, it’s that the Mini is not an overly practical car. There was no option of 5 doors, the boot is tiny and the rear seats are cramped. While long doors help make rear access a little easier, they are heavy and have no protective rubbing strips to save your paint. The interior is funky but the centre speedo is a pain to use and the toggle switches on the centre console easy to confuse.

    Behind the wheel, the One D has almost all of the qualities that make the petrol powered models so appealing. You sit almost sports car low behind a chunky leather steering wheel with the stick to the 6 speed gearbox within easy reach. Although the tractor noises coming from under the bonnet may seem a little out of place, the handling is pure Mini. Turn is excellent thanks to quick steering that provides ample feedback from the front tyres. The gearbox is a delight to use with well judged ratios and a shift action that feels mechanical and direct.

    The car I tested had stability control fitted which does an excellent job of keeping you on the straight and narrow, switch it off and you can feel the rear of the car helping you into and round corners although this never translates into full on oversteer unless you do something very silly. This leads to my main criticism, the chassis is almost too good for the power output of the car. Even on tyres that wouldn’t look out of place on a motorbike, you always get the feeling the car could take another 100 bhp or more. This is no surprise as the brakes and suspension are identical to that on a Cooper S which has another 100 bhp. Admittedly, the test car was the lower powered variant which doesn’t help, I think you’d have the same issue with the 95 bhp version though.

    It is of course running costs where the One D really shines. As mentioned, you can get well over 50 mpg without even trying and over 60 mpg if you have a particularly light right foot. Even someone as lead footed as me struggles to get less than 38 mpg around town which coupled to low(ish) road tax of £110 a year makes for a cheap to run car. Do check insurance quotes though, it’s in a much higher group than you might think. You’ll also find Mini’s are pretty expensive to buy, only high mileage cars dip below £2500 with the best nearing £5000 even at 9 years old. The good news is that Mini’s tend to hold on to this value and even the introduction of a new model doesn’t upset prices too much.

    Things to look out for are electrical gremlins, cars pulling to the left or right, shoddy gearchanges and noisy power steering. These issues seem to affect the older cars more although be wary of them on any test drive you might take. With the Mini being a premium product, they can be expensive to repair although a dealer should offer you a warranty if you are worried. The interior isn’t quite as well screwed together as you might think so expect the odd creak from the dashboard. The One was quite sparsely equipped as standard so look out for the Salt & Pepper packs which add alloy wheels, fog lights, rev counter and trip computer. Many other options were available so check specifications carefully. Find the right car and you’ll have a reliable, fun and stylish runaround that won’t break the bank.

     

    For: Fun to drive, economical & styling.

    Against: Expensive to buy, not overly practical & a bit slow.

  • The Week In Cars – Ferrari or Porsche?

    Porsche have shown us the hottest Cayman yet, the GT4. As suggested by spy shots, it gains a much more aggressive body kit with a fixed rear wing along with 20 inch wheels.

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