The MINI Cooper S—introduced by BMW Canada this year—is part of the new breed of small but powerful cars that puts the thrill of the road back into driving. Daniel Schneeweiss, Digital Journal’s automotive writer, got a chance to put the “pedal to the metal” for one of these little gems.
For my weekend jaunt to Ottawa, BMW Canada supplied me with a shiny new, fully tricked-out MINI Cooper S. I figured I’d like the car, having admired the dozens blasting around the city. It turned into an instant love affair once I was behind the wheel and tearing up the roads myself.
Style is what hits you first, both inside and out. There was no shortage of admirers wherever I went and you can expect to spend a lot of time discussing the finer points with all the new acquaintances you’ll meet. Outwardly, the car has a playful but aggressive look that seems to bridge age and gender gaps.
Designers have preserved the classic MINI look, though gone are the tiny wheels, which are replaced by serious 17-inchers. Dual exhaust pipes trumpet the sound of the MINI and a functional hood scoop round out its performance look. BMW’s quality standards are evident throughout, with all materials carefully selected and beautifully assembled.
And don’t let the name fool you—it’s not that small. There’s plenty of room up front, only the rear seat passengers may be strapped for legroom. The MINI’s sport seats come standard in leatherette or cloth, with leather as an option. Seats offer lumbar adjustment, memory and function. Heaters are a nice touch come winter. The driver’s seat and steering column are height adjustable—just pump the seat up or down with the rachet handle conveniently located in the front of the driver’s seat. The trunk space is very small, but if you fold down the rear seat, you’ll find enough room for your hockey bag and sticks.
The gearshift knob, stainless steel foot rest, and optional multi-function leather steering wheel, operating on audio and cruise control, all add to the racy feel. The dashboard is clean and simple with the tach located directly on the steering column. The huge speedometer is centrally positioned on the dashboard like the original and all gauges are easy to read and accessible. Vintage metal toggle switches mounted on the console harken back to simpler times, and its panoramic sunroof brings in lots of open-air feel.
The supercharged 1.6-litre four cylinder, single overhead camshaft engine produces 163 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Top speed is rated at 218 km/h. The handling was top notch, thanks in part to the corner mounted tires which gives the car the stability and agility of a go-cart. MacPherson strut front suspension coupled with a multi-link rear suspension and a low centre of gravity offer smooth, responsive driver feedback allowing heavy cornering and braking.
The original MINI was a standout on rally circuits decades ago and its latest incarnation begs to prove itself too. All in all, there’s almost nothing to dislike about this car, though even more power will lift this car to new levels.
