Go slow, have fun. That
seemed to be the motto of the new Mini; until the recent introduction of the Mini Cooper S. BMW has altered the recipe by packing in more oomph and put the Mini into a performance category
crowded by high-performance hatchbacks and compact sport sedans. The 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine found in the standard Cooper is
supercharged and intercooled and receives a number of internal changes to help cope with the extra power. The maximum output rises by 48 to 163 horsepower at 6000rpm and torque reaches 155 lb-ft at
4000 rpm - not bad for a car that weighs 2300lb.
If you love to row gears, you'll
also love the new six-speed manual transmission, which helps the S reach 60mph in about 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 135mph.
Of course, there are many other goodies to keep customers
happy: sports-tuned suspension, standard 16-inch wheels (with optional 17 inchers), dual centre-mounted chrome exhaust tips, a roof spoiler, sport seats and a leather-wrapped shifter and steering wheel. You also get
ABS, EBD (Electronic Brake-Force Distribution), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), a tire-pressure monitoring system, a whole bunch of airbags and an optional stability control system. Cool!
What's even more interesting is that the Mini is scheduled to hit the US market soon, to be sold alongside BMWs in BMW dealerships nationwide. We believe it has the ability to change the perception of the US
market to small cars. It certainly is our favorite mini Fantasy Car!
Go slow, have fun. That
seemed to be the motto of the new Mini; until the recent introduction of the Mini Cooper S.