Road Test
Mini Cooper S
Test date 29 November 2006
Price as tested £16,245
For Strong Performance, nimble handling, ride, style
AgainstDull-sounding engine, lack of space
When the new Mini arrived in 2001, there were a few mutterings from certain quarters, notably die-hard Mini enthusiasts. They bemoaned the betrayal of the original’s true values, wondering where the innovation, the genre-busting packaging, the dedication to supplying economical, efficient transportation to the masses had gone.
BMW, however, was savvy, and pitched the new Mini into a market that placed great value on style, brand prestige and fun – a recipe that the reborn car brewed together with genuine panache. Its replacement aims to fix the faults and quirks, while keeping the winning formula very much intact.
Contrary to every appearance, what you see is an all-new car, although no one seemed to notice while we were conducting this road test – least of all current Mini drivers. But then market research has shown that the styling of the previous car was far and away the number one reason for purchase. Keeping the styling almost the same is perfectly understandable, of course, but we can’t help but feel that a little of the visual appeal has been lost.
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