Minis are fun – I think we all know that. The original Mini was a huge bundle of fun in a tiny, potentially deadly package, while the BMW interpretation of the Mini is almost as much fun in a far safer, more comfortable package.
Now there is a new third-generation of the BMW Mini and it has all-new engines, lots of inherited BMW tech and more stuff for the same money.
But we don’t really care about any of that, as long as it is still fun. So we went to the Gold Coast of Australia to find out…
What is it?
Pretty self-explanatory really – it’s a Mini. It’s fractionally bigger on the outside, massively roomier on the inside and packed with new toys.
It comes initially in two models – the Cooper and the Cooper S, each with a new engine.
The Cooper boasts a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine hooked up to either a six-speed manual transmission, or an optional six-speed automatic ($3,000), while the Cooper S gets a 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine.
the six-speed manual is also standard on the Cooper S, with the auto option at the same price as the Cooper, however, the Cooper S can also be had with steering wheel shift paddles and launch control for a further $500.
Both cars have inherited a load of tech from BMW, including an iDrive-like operating system, radar cruse control, a heads up display and many other things, some standard equipment, but in typically BMW fashion, even more are optional.
That said, the list of standard specification on both cars is impressive – click here to see a full specification and option list for the Cooper and Cooper S: MINI specifications_nz
What’s it like?
Still very much like a Mini, but it does feel noticeably grown up and more mature when compared to the previous model. Not enough that it has lost any of its playfulness or sense of fun, but enough that it is no longer a bit wearing on a long journey.
Comfort levels are up massively in the new car, with interior space also being hugely improved.
The new engines are strong and frugal, with the brilliant little three-cylinder being an absolute star in the entry-level Cooper. Hooked up to the six-speed manual transmission, it is an absolute blast to run through the gears with the characterful little triple growling away.
It is wonderfully flexible and has more than enough power to be massively fun.
The Cooper S makes all the right noises, snarling, popping and banging with every gear shift, and the extra 41kW is certainly noticeable, but the little three-cylinder is just so damn charming in both its noise and power delivery that we came away honestly preferring the Cooper…
Handling in both cars is still an absolute blast. The front end is remarkably responsive and drives eagerly into corners, while the rear end is more than happy to either follow faithfully, or have a bit of a play. Whatever you prefer.
While ride comfort is well up, it hasn’t impacted on handling in any real detrimental way. It does feel more like a grown-ups car – think of a Volkswagen Golf from a few generations back – but it can still hook into a corner with serious intent and allow you to have fun all the way through it thanks to its wonderful responsiveness and predictability.
What’s good about it?
It’s handling is brilliantly intact, but the ride and general comfort levels have been hugely improved, as has interior materials and build quality The engines are brilliant and remarkably frugal, and both the manual and automatic transmissions work brilliantly with them.
The looks, while initially slightly awkward looking in pictures quickly grow on you and are actually not that noticeably different from the last car in the metal, with the biggest give-away being the slightly elongated nose.
What’s not so good?
The bastard arm rest between the front seats is annoying and in the way no matter where you put it. It may not be so much of a problem for smaller people, but someone of my size will ALWAYS smash their elbow on it when it is folded up of not be able to operate the iDrive dial easily with it folded down…
Some of the interior styling cues are a bit cheesy (like the silly starter toggle switch), but then it is a Mini…
First impressions?
An excellent successor to a great car that was just starting to show its age.
While the Cooper, with its brilliant little three-cylinder engine, was our favourite, the specced-up, more powerful Cooper S certainly shouldn’t be ignored either (and no doubt won’t be by buyers).
Improved everywhere that it needed to be and also in a lot of areas it really didn’t need to be, the new Mini is a big step up on the car it replaces while still retaining the essential character that made the old car so much fun.
Models/prices
Cooper – $36,200
Cooper S – $44,200
Powertrain
1.5-litre inline three-cylinder petrol turbo producing 100kW/220Nm; six-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive (Cooper), 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol turbo producing 141kW/280Nm; six-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive (Cooper S0
Fuel consumption: 4.6L/100km (Cooper – 4.8 auto), 5.8L/100km (Cooper S – 5.4 auto)
CO2 emissions: 107g/km (Cooper – 112 auto), 136g/km (Cooper S – 125 auto)
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: Not tested
Air bags: 6
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
