Mini review (2007 onwards model)

If you’ve taken a look at our spyshots before you’ll understand that car manufacturers go to great lengths to avoid anyone spotting their new cars prior to when they want you to.

So it’s odd then that I’m sitting on a bus en-route to drive Mini’s next Cooper S. Nothing unusual about that you might think. But this is the next Mini, with a new engine, a modest facelift and revised interior. Indeed, it’s so new that nobody outside Mini has seen it before. Technically I’m still in the dark too, but the light disguising on the cars in front of me isn’t covering up much.

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So I can tell you that the next Mini looks nearly identical to the current one. And that’s hardly surprising. The Oxford production line hasn’t slowed since the current car was introduced in 2001. Over 831,400 Minis having been sold worldwide. And with around 200,000 of those sales in the UK alone it’s hardly surprising that when the people at Mini decided it was time to make some changes they didn’t go all radical on the styling. So behind the strategically positioned, body-coloured stickers I can see a few cosmetic changes, but none so bold you’d not immediately recognise it as a Mini.

Subtle tweaks

The headlamps are perhaps the most obvious change. They’re slightly larger, the reflector featuring some pleasing new detailing like a ring around the main bulb. Unlike the current car they’re fixed to the structure rather than the bonnet, Mini’s representatives suggesting this makes it easier to keep the headlamps correctly adjusted and helps prolong the life of the bulb. Ultimately it’s cheaper for them to produce too, though obviously they weren’t citing that as the main reason. Around the back the lights change slightly too, and the super observant will notice a slight lengthening of the overhangs front and rear. All the better for crash protection.

It’s under that familiar, but slightly altered bonnet with its now fake scoop that Mini’s engineers have been most busy. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder from the current car has been changed for an all-new engine. In the Cooper S I’m driving retains its 1.6-litre capacity, but instead of the supercharger there’s now a turbocharger. Output is only up by 5bhp to 175bhp (the naturally aspirated Cooper seeing a similar 5bhp increase to 120bhp), though the torque it produces is greater at 240Nm, the increase apparent across the 1.6-litre’s rev range. Fuel consumption is improved, as are emissions.

Quicker but less thirsty

Mini aren’t divulging performance figures for it yet, but they promise a better 0-62mph time compared to the current car, so expect the Cooper S to manage the benchmark sprint in under 8 seconds. Direct injection improves the engine’s response while also helping improve those emissions and consumption, though the naturally aspirated Cooper does without direct injection. Even so Project Manager of New Engine Technology, Erich Sonntag says the new Mini has: “the best in class consumption,” the Cooper managing around 47mpg and the Cooper S around 40mpg. That compares favourably to the official combined consumption of 42mpg and 33mpg of the current cars.

Much of the improvements are made by reducing the impact of auxiliary engine components, an on demand water pump and more efficient oil pump all assisting in limiting consumption. Also helping is the adoption of an electromechanical steering system, which is also fitted with a sport button to improve its steering response. Pressing it also sharpens up the reaction from the accelerator. The results are impressive, the new engine far smoother than the outgoing Cooper S units, the sometimes intrusive supercharger whine of the old car no longer there due to the adoption of a turbocharger.

Handling

It might sound a bit more civilised, but the same sparkling performance is available. Only minor tweaks have been made to the suspension, the aluminium components fitted on the limited-run Cooper S GP featuring on the new car. Otherwise it’s largely unchanged. It’s been better tuned for the runflat tyres the Mini uses though, improving the ride without destroying its fine balance and control. Driving it around Zandvoort’s tricky circuit the Cooper S felt as nimble and controllable as ever, the electronic safety nets allowing a good deal of movement before intervention.

Even when disabled the Cooper S produces excellent grip, however traction could easily be broken with its power wasted through a spinning inside wheel. A limited slip differential will be offered for Cooper drivers wanting to prevent that, but in road use it’s likely to prove overkill. Amusingly, the bug-splattered development car which arrived direct from Nurburgring testing, displayed a selection of ‘kill’ silhouettes on the door. Given our experience of the new car we’ve no reason to doubt that they’re accurate, the Cooper S a fast, and very controllable hot hatch which should stack up very well against its rivals.

Interior

Packaging remains an issue inside, the boot offering 10-litres more room, but it’s hardly commodious. The rear seats too offer little space for anyone but the smallest children. Although much of it was hidden, with cheeky stickers suggesting ‘work in progress’ or ‘there’s nothing to see here’ strategically placed where we could lift the dashboard covers the bigger ventilation vents were clear to see, as were the enormous new central speedometer, keyless go and stereo system. Safety too, is enhanced, with Cooper and Cooper S models coming with six airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Cornering Brake Control as well as a tyre defect control system.

Externally the changes may be slight, but given the current car’s success that’s completely understandable. The significant changes address the current Mini’s shortcomings - improving refinement, emissions, consumption, comfort and safety, too. It was always going to be difficult to replace the current car, but our early impressions of the new one underline that it’s improved in key areas without loosing its unique style and enjoyable driving characteristics. On sale later this year the new Mini might look much the same, but it’s certainly different enough to ensure its continued success.