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By
EWAN KENNEDY
27 August 2007
There's nothing quite like a MINI to look at or to drive. This
very British little car – by very-German BMW, but let's not dwell on
that – is something right out of the ordinary. Its retro lines are
just so right and the stylists have deliberately gone overboard in every
area of the car, both inside and out. It’s part old, part new, part
high-tech and lovely from every angle.
This is a car for the person who likes to be
noticed and who is likely to be on the vivacious and social side.
Witness the number of Mini clubs which have been set up over the
years. These cover not only the new MINI, but also the original
full-British cars of the late 1950s through to the early ‘80s.
These guys just love to modify their cars, mostly visually, but
there are some mechanical changes on offer as well.
An astonishing range of accessories is available.
Then there are body colour and trim options. MINI can build tens
of thousands different cars without any two being identical.
Apparently the world record for money spent on a new MINI is now
in excess of $100,000. The mind boggles.
The new MINI, launched in Australia earlier this
year, is bigger than the old to reduces pedestrian injuries in a
crash. The added 60 mm in overall length has virtually all gone
into the front end of the car to accomplish this, so there's no
real improvement inside the cabin. Meaning it’s still on the
marginal side. The rear seat is very cramped for legroom unless
the front occupants are willing to move their seats substantially
forward. Look on the MINI as a three-door coupe and the rear space
makes sense, but only those with small children can ask it to
double as a small family car.
Boot space is pretty good for such a stubby
machine and a medium-large suitcase accompanied by a few soft bags
can be carried. The back seats fold down individually to let you
juggle luggage/passenger space.
MINI now has all-new engines that are designed and
built by a consortium of BMW and PSA, the latter being the maker
of Peugeots and Citroens. Quite a few of the features are unique
to the MINI to give the engine a personality to suit such a fun
car. MINI versions of the engine are built in Britain. The new
engine is a much more modern unit than the old and uses variable
valve timing to increase power, cut fuel consumption and reduce
exhaust emissions.
Power output is 88 kW with the engine in standard
format as tested in the car we borrowed from MINI this week. It’s
also offered with 128 kW when it’s turbocharged for the MINI
Cooper S application.
Our car had a six-speed full-automatic
transmission, not our powertrain of choice as revheads, but we are
well aware that it’s likely to be a bigger seller than the
six-speed manual. It would be unfair to describe the performance
provided by this engine/transmission combination as being
leisurely, but it’s certainly not a sporting machine.
Then again many will love the MINI Cooper for its
looks and won’t be in the least bit worried by the fact that it
doesn’t leap off the line. And those who do want a MINI that
flies, the Cooper S turbo is sitting in wait.
Though slightly more refined in its on-road
behaviour than in the previous model, the latest MINI still has a
lively feel in its steering and suspension that was long been a
major feature of the car. Any driver who doesn’t come away from
a spirited drive on a winding country road with a smile on their
face simply hasn’t been trying hard enough. Go back and do it
all again!
Rough Aussie backroads can cause a jiggly ride at
times, but on the whole the MINI is pretty well composed. Tyre
noise is pretty noticeable at times on coarse-chip surfaces as
well as on concrete motorways, but we have heard worse. In any
case, it can be said to add character to a car like this.
MINI is a car aimed at a very specific audience,
but those who do like them, love them dearly. Having just spent a
most pleasant week in one we aren't in the least surprised.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Mini Cooper 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $31,100
Mini Cooper Chilli 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $34,700
Mini Cooper Park Lane 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $34,500
Mini Cooper Checkmate 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $34,500
Mini Cooper S 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $39,900
Mini Cooper S Chilli 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $43,500
Mini Cooper S Park Lane 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $43,500
Mini Cooper S Checkmate 1.6-litre three-door hatch - $43,500
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Air Conditioning: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: $2200 option in all models
CD Player: Standard in all models
Central Locking: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Driver Airbag: Standard in all models
Passenger Airbag: Standard in all models
Side Airbags: Standard in all models
SPECIFICATIONS (Mini Cooper S 1.6-litre three-door
hatch)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.598 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Head Design: SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Bore/Stroke: 77.0 x 85.8 mm
Maximum Power: 128 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 240 Nm @ 1600-5000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Six-speed
Automatic Transmission: Six-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.94:1
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 3714 mm
Wheelbase: 2467 mm
Width: 1683 mm
Height: 1407 mm
Turning Circle: 10.7 metres
Kerb Mass: 1130 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
Towing Ability: 500kg (750kg with braked trailer)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Multi-arm, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.1 secs
Standing 400 Metres: 15.4 secs
FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSION RATINGS:
Type: Petrol 95RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 6.9 L/100km
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimited km
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Marque Publishing Company
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