Retro Cute and Fun To DriveFifty years ago in 1957 when fuel prices were soaring due to a MidEast oil crisis, Sir Leonard Lord commissioned the Morris company to build a small, fuel efficient car capable of transporting four adults. They called the creation the Mini. In 1961 British Racing legend John Cooper bought the carmaker. Tweaking and tuning engine and suspension, the Mini became a giant killer at road rallies. When the car finally debuted in the United States in 2002, it was bigger, stronger, and faster than ever.
Today’s Mini is a minimalist dream. It boasts a low price, great fuel economy and pulse quickening performance. I test drove a Cooper S model with its turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine rated a respectable 172 horsepower. The transmission was a six-speed manual. A Continuously Variable Transmission (automatic) is optional, along with paddle shifters.
All around performance is excellent. I clocked a zero to 60 mph speed run in 6.5 seconds flat. The good news gets even better. Fuel economy is amazingly good, with 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. With the automatic transmission fuel economy worsens by about 2 mpg. Range calculates out to about 449 miles on a full tank of gas.
Handling manners are legendary. To say a Mini is nimble is an understatement. Part of that surefootedness is due to a wide track and an ultra rigid body. A wider stance is more stable and the stiff body provides a firmer foundation for the suspension components to do their good work. This car is lots of fun to drive especially on Iowa back roads.
Interior accommodations for the driver and front seat passenger are pretty darn good. The space is fairly wide, with decent legroom and headroom. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes. One negative aspect, the back seat is puny, with virtually nonexistent legroom. But that’s hardly an issue to most of the drivers who would be interested in the car. Trunk space is modest, though, folding the 50/50-split rear seat opens up a square-shaped cargo area.
Mini Coopers are sold at most BMW dealers in base model, S model and John Cooper Works. The base model Mini Cooper comes standard with a selectable Sport setting for steering and throttle response, power windows, power door locks, air-conditioning, a trip computer and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. Tires are 15-inchers mounted on alloy wheels. Upholstery is leatherette, which is simply another way of saying premium vinyl.
Moving up a notch to the Cooper S adds the previously mentioned turbocharged engine, firmer suspension tuning, bigger wheels/more grippier tires (195/55R-16s All Season) and sport seats.
The top of the line John Cooper Works is a red hot performer and includes an even more powerful turbocharged engine (208 horsepower), upgraded brakes with Brembo calipers and unique exterior plus interior styling cues. Its 17-inch tires and wheels grip the pavement like there’s no tomorrow.
Worried about safety in such a small car? All 2008 Mini Coopers come standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Moreover, in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash testing, the Cooper hatchback has been awarded the best rating of "Good." That said, and no matter what size car, defensive driving is wise.
Mini Cooper press guys say that no two Mini Coopers are exactly alike. I was more than a little skeptical of that statement. At least until I crunched the numbers. The myriad of the accessories and options allows customizing a Mini with more than ten million possible configurations. Possibilities include web spoke alloy wheels for $1250 or crown spoke alloy wheels for $750, bonnet stripes $100, heated front seats $500, Navigation system $2000, heated power folding mirrors $500. A sunroof costs $1250. There are more available body and roof colors than in a Jim Ochs painting.
Other noteworthy items include, Xenon headlights, cruise control, rear parking assist, front and/or rear fog lamps, automatic climate control, leather and/or cloth upholstery, various interior color schemes, a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a keyless ignition/entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, HD radio, satellite radio, iPod connectivity and a variety of dealer-installed features. An audiophile quality 10-speaker audio system is also available
Finally, the basic warranty term runs for four years or 50,000 miles with free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The drivetrain warranty term runs for four years or 50,000 miles. Roadside assistance is provided for four years or 500,000 miles. Rust protection runs for an eyebrow-raising 12 years with no limit on miles.
Wheelbase 97.1”
Engine 1.6L I-4
Horsepower 172 @ 5500 rpm
Transmission 6-spd manual
Mileage 34/26 mpg
Fuel capacity 13.2 gallons
Curb Weight 2634 pounds
Base Price $18550
As tested $22,600
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