Mini Cooper S review (2007 onwards model)

In my list of memorable drives my first in a new Mini is right at the top. It was in 2001 at the launch, and the public’s interest in the new Mini was enormous.

And I had the keys to a Cooper. Mini was milking the public’s euphoria to the maximum too, choosing central London to give me my first steer of the new car. It literally stopped traffic. I had people chase me in taxis to ask about it, and I quickly learned to lip read ‘new Mini’ as everyone mouthed it into their mobile phones. I even had a chap in a BMW 7-Series offer to swap there and then, regardless of any difference in price. And he was very serious.

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The hype worked too, with BMW’s original sales projections for Mini being hugely pessimistic. And that’s not just here in the UK and Europe where it sells well, but worldwide. Even the ‘bigger-is-better’ Americans have embraced the small car from the UK. So Mini’s production plant in Oxford has been flat out since 2001, with 200,799 UK sales alone since the Mini’s launch. But five years is a long time in the car business, and although there’s been no let up in demand, the Mini needed some revisions, particularly to ensure it passes future crash regulations.

What’s changed?

So that’s what Mini has done. Not that with a casual glance you’ll notice any difference. If you really know your Minis, and I mean really know them on that scary level that the Mini engenders in some owners, you’ll spot the higher bonnet. Look closer and there are revised lights and marginally longer overhangs. But we’re talking centimetres here. You might also notice the indicators are now housed in the new headlamps, too. Where the changes are more obvious is inside. There are new seats, which unlike the old ones are rather comfortable and supportive, and the centre console is new.

Watch our video roadtest of the new Cooper S

It’s improbable that anyone would get into an existing Mini and comment that the central speedometer is a bit small. But somebody in the design team at Mini did. So the new one is gargantuan, its increased diameter now incorporating some of the entertainment and car setting functions. Specify the optional sat nav and much of the face is removed for the screen, with the speedometer needle running around the circumference. The revised centre console below the speedo is now much narrower, to the benefit of legroom for front seat occupants. You can forget about any additional space in the rear seats, and the boot is still tiny.

Space has never been a Mini strong point, and this one is little better. Not that customers are likely to mind. One problem area that has been addressed though is the Mini’s engine. Like the outgoing car it’s a 1.6-litre unit, but it’s a good deal more refined. Again, the new engine is a collaborative project, this time shared with the French PSA group (Peugeot/Citroen), rather than the old Chrysler tie-up. And it’s a huge improvement. In the Cooper S it gets forced induction via a twin-scroll turbocharger, rather than the supercharger of the old car.

That turbocharger allows the 1.6-litre unit to deliver 173bhp and 177lb-ft of torque during normal running, or 192lb-ft on overboost. Some will inevitably comment that the new turbocharged 1.6 has perhaps lost some of the character of the old engine, but the reality of the old unit was it was rather unrefined in standard guise, and with a supercharger whining away in Cooper S form it was very tiresome indeed. There’s none of that with the new unit, it producing just enough of a sporting note, with some pleasing cackles and pops on the overrun when working it hard, without being intrusive in everyday driving.

Watch our video roadtest of the new Cooper S

Being lighter and 5bhp more powerful, it’s faster than the old car, too. Only marginally though, with the 0-62mph time dropping from 7.2 to 7.1 seconds. The top speed increases to 140mph, just 2mph more than the old car. Where it really shines is in consumption and emissions, the turbocharged 1.6-litre Cooper S engine managing a combined economy figure of 40.9mpg – some 7.9mpg more than its predecessor. It’s the same with emissions, with CO2 levels dropping from 207g/km to 164g/km. The naturally aspirated Cooper also shows similar improvements.

Sensible things like emissions and economy might have improved, but the Cooper S is no less fun as a result. Completely revised suspension, this time properly tuned for its stiff walled run-flat tyres, ensures the Mini is as fun as ever. The standard suspension on the Cooper S is more pliant than before, there being a bit more roll in the bends. But the ride is hugely improved, the Cooper S exhibiting real fluidity on rough, challenging roads that would leave the old car skipping about. Although it’s not loaded with feel, the steering is precise, the nose faithful to input and only understeering if severely provoked.

Overall its handling is very nicely balanced, and the ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control + Traction) that comes as standard with the Cooper S remains relatively unintrusive, even on demanding, tight switchback routes. Here the engine works well, it’s ample low down torque and virtual lack of turbo-lag meaning the Cooper S is rarely lacking in acceleration. That’s useful, for while the gearshift is crisp enough, its action is somewhat hindered by the huge gearknob, and it’s too easy to push through into the reverse plane when looking for second in a hurry. As with all Minis there’s a good amount of personalisation on offer. Sports suspension, a Sports button – which changes the gearshift (on the auto) and steering characteristics – and even multi-coloured ambient lighting.

Display used Mini Cooper Ss (old model) from £9,000

Harsh ride

Tempted as you might be by the sports suspension we’d avoid it. Adding stiffer springs and dampers, as well as anti-roll bars that are 1mm thicker, it only upsets the ride and handling balance, setting the Cooper S hopping over ridges and road imperfections the standard suspension would shrug off. Otherwise, tick away at the options as it’s rare to have two Minis specified the same. But should you rush out and buy it? Is it different enough to the existing car to recommend? Emphatically, yes.

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Sure, it’s not going to stop traffic like the first one due to familiarity, but it’s a big improvement in many areas. Chiefly, refinement and ride comfort. Don’t think that because of that it’s lost any of its charm though, it’s just grown up a bit. If Mini pulls off the same trick with the standard Cooper and One models, then it’s certain to continue its tremendous success when it reaches showrooms on November 18.

Watch our video roadtest of the new Cooper S

Prices

Mini One - £11,595Mini Cooper - £12,995Mini Cooper S - £15,995

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