Freedom on the open road, when there is nothing but you and your car (or bike) for miles around, is an experience that is hard to replicate in any other context. When you are in a beautiful, unfamiliar place, free also of any electronic gadgetry, relying only on your sense of direction and the road signs you meet (plus a road book), makes that feeling even more special.
I had just such an experience a few months ago, now, when I was invited to drive the new Mini Cooper S on the outskirts of Barcelona. At one point in the drive, I dropped off my colleague and had the car to myself for a couple of hours. So off I went on another loop - there is a benefit in having a sat nav (satellite navigation) in that you can truly get lost and still use the technology to get you back to your point of departure (or any destination you select).
In the latest incarnation of the new Mini, the satellite navigator that has been developed did not make it in time to go into the early production models used for the international launch. Still, a working unit was displayed at the launch press conference, and it is being located instead of the enlarged central speedo (but still incorporates the speedo).
What is truly impressive in this boy (or girl) racer is how unstressed, yet muscular the engine is. Having 175 horses beneath the bonnet and a pulling power (torque) of 240 Nm at 5,500 rpm does make a difference. One example is: going up a hill in traffic, chugging along at less than 60 km/h in sixth gear with the rev counter on 1,500 rpm.
Is it any wonder that you can achieve the equivalent of 40 mpg (6.9 litres/100 km)? Care has been taken to continue to improve the ride and handling - the so-called go-kart feel, thanks to the suspension set-up and steering ability.
To start with, there is the ideal combination of front-wheel drive, low centre of gravity and wide track (1,453 mm in front and 1,461 mm in the rear). McPherson spring struts on the front axle ensure the right wheel guidance right from the start, keeping the steering almost entirely free of drive forces both in fast bends, when accelerating and applying the brakes.
The central arm rear axle, in turn, a concept unique in the Mini segment, ensures optimum road contact at all times through its elaborate kinematics. Longitudinal aluminium arms in the rear axle serve to reduce weight by six kg from the former rear axle. Anti-roll bars on both the Mini Cooper S and Cooper make an additional contribution to the cars' agile and safe handling.
Both these versions of the Mini have different suspension set-ups, with the sporty configuration on the Cooper raised to a higher level on the Cooper S. I found the Cooper S extremely responsive on the bends, but was also struck by the huge margins of safety built in.
The sports suspension interacts with the powerful brake system, featuring inner-vented disc brakes on the front axle measuring 280 mm on the Cooper and 294 mm Cooper S in diameter and 259 mm discs at the rear. On both models, the fading-free brakes are further enhanced and supported by an ABS anti-lock brake system, EBFD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), and CBC (Cornering Brake Control).
The Brake Assistant in the new Mini recognises emergency braking manoeuvres reliably and in good time, immediately building up maximum brake pressure whenever needed to keep stopping distances as short as possible.
On-demand traction control (ASC+T) featured as standard in the Mini Cooper S, as well as optional Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), offer additional safety in critical situations. Intervening in the brakes as required or reducing engine power whenever necessary, DSC prevents the car from possibly swerving out of control.
Yet another feature is Hill Assist start-off assistance on uphill gradients available in conjunction with DSC, which activates the brake system when setting off on an uphill gradient and thus prevents the car from rolling back.
The Mini Cooper, powered by a naturally aspirated 120 bhp 1.6-litre engine comes with a two-spoke leather-covered steering wheel as standard, plus an alarm, chrome line exterior, rain sensor, air-conditioning, radio CD with CD changer preparation, six-speed manual transmission, cloth seats and 15-inch light-alloy rims and 175/65 R 15 tyres for Lm12,800.
The Cooper S is equipped with (apart from that gorgeous engine) fog lights, DSC, and non-metallic paint, 16-inch light-alloy rims and 195/65 R 16 (runflat) tyres - for Lm15,999.
Thanks to their failsafe running characteristics, these tyres allow the driver to go on motoring even when a tyre is completely flat, covering a distance of up to 150 km at a maximum of 80 km/h. This is linked to a tyre defect indicator permanently monitoring air pressure and informing the driver in the event of an emergency.
Sitting in the new Cooper S, you will feel there is more front legroom, thanks to a narrow centre panel and a rationalisation of the centre switches (plus the location of other non-essential switches to the roof). The Mini remains a four-seater but the 50:50 split rear seat and the enlarged interior space means you can do more (and rear seat passengers do not sit so tightly - always the experience of Mini passengers, yet modern day passengers are less tolerant of this).
All in all, the Mini Cooper S is a car to experience. You will certainly drive this car with a naughty grin on your face and, if your are to trust a spouse or offspring with one, there is the peace of mind that it is built so "you'll really like the bends" and keep it all together.
Mini Cooper S specifications
Engine: 1.6 turbo, 1,598 cc petrol. Four cylinders in line. 16 valves. Two overhead camshafts, roller-type drag arms. Common rail direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger.
CO2 emissions (g/km) 164. Combined fuel consumption 6.9 litres/100 km. BHP 175 at 4,000 rpm. Pulling power (torque) 240 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Max speed 225 km/h. 0-100 km/h 7.1 seconds. Kerb weight 1,130 kg. Steering electro-hydraulic power-assisted. Brakes front, and rear, discs (front, ventilated) Turning circle between kerbs, from 10.7 m.
Where will you keep it?
Overall length 3,714 mm. Width, including mirrors 1,683 mm. Height, unladen 1,407 mm.
I had just such an experience a few months ago, now, when I was invited to drive the new Mini Cooper S on the outskirts of Barcelona. At one point in the drive, I dropped off my colleague and had the car to myself for a couple of hours. So off I went on another loop - there is a benefit in having a sat nav (satellite navigation) in that you can truly get lost and still use the technology to get you back to your point of departure (or any destination you select).
In the latest incarnation of the new Mini, the satellite navigator that has been developed did not make it in time to go into the early production models used for the international launch. Still, a working unit was displayed at the launch press conference, and it is being located instead of the enlarged central speedo (but still incorporates the speedo).
What is truly impressive in this boy (or girl) racer is how unstressed, yet muscular the engine is. Having 175 horses beneath the bonnet and a pulling power (torque) of 240 Nm at 5,500 rpm does make a difference. One example is: going up a hill in traffic, chugging along at less than 60 km/h in sixth gear with the rev counter on 1,500 rpm.
Is it any wonder that you can achieve the equivalent of 40 mpg (6.9 litres/100 km)? Care has been taken to continue to improve the ride and handling - the so-called go-kart feel, thanks to the suspension set-up and steering ability.
To start with, there is the ideal combination of front-wheel drive, low centre of gravity and wide track (1,453 mm in front and 1,461 mm in the rear). McPherson spring struts on the front axle ensure the right wheel guidance right from the start, keeping the steering almost entirely free of drive forces both in fast bends, when accelerating and applying the brakes.
The central arm rear axle, in turn, a concept unique in the Mini segment, ensures optimum road contact at all times through its elaborate kinematics. Longitudinal aluminium arms in the rear axle serve to reduce weight by six kg from the former rear axle. Anti-roll bars on both the Mini Cooper S and Cooper make an additional contribution to the cars' agile and safe handling.
Both these versions of the Mini have different suspension set-ups, with the sporty configuration on the Cooper raised to a higher level on the Cooper S. I found the Cooper S extremely responsive on the bends, but was also struck by the huge margins of safety built in.
The sports suspension interacts with the powerful brake system, featuring inner-vented disc brakes on the front axle measuring 280 mm on the Cooper and 294 mm Cooper S in diameter and 259 mm discs at the rear. On both models, the fading-free brakes are further enhanced and supported by an ABS anti-lock brake system, EBFD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), and CBC (Cornering Brake Control).
The Brake Assistant in the new Mini recognises emergency braking manoeuvres reliably and in good time, immediately building up maximum brake pressure whenever needed to keep stopping distances as short as possible.
On-demand traction control (ASC+T) featured as standard in the Mini Cooper S, as well as optional Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), offer additional safety in critical situations. Intervening in the brakes as required or reducing engine power whenever necessary, DSC prevents the car from possibly swerving out of control.
Yet another feature is Hill Assist start-off assistance on uphill gradients available in conjunction with DSC, which activates the brake system when setting off on an uphill gradient and thus prevents the car from rolling back.
The Mini Cooper, powered by a naturally aspirated 120 bhp 1.6-litre engine comes with a two-spoke leather-covered steering wheel as standard, plus an alarm, chrome line exterior, rain sensor, air-conditioning, radio CD with CD changer preparation, six-speed manual transmission, cloth seats and 15-inch light-alloy rims and 175/65 R 15 tyres for Lm12,800.
The Cooper S is equipped with (apart from that gorgeous engine) fog lights, DSC, and non-metallic paint, 16-inch light-alloy rims and 195/65 R 16 (runflat) tyres - for Lm15,999.
Thanks to their failsafe running characteristics, these tyres allow the driver to go on motoring even when a tyre is completely flat, covering a distance of up to 150 km at a maximum of 80 km/h. This is linked to a tyre defect indicator permanently monitoring air pressure and informing the driver in the event of an emergency.
Sitting in the new Cooper S, you will feel there is more front legroom, thanks to a narrow centre panel and a rationalisation of the centre switches (plus the location of other non-essential switches to the roof). The Mini remains a four-seater but the 50:50 split rear seat and the enlarged interior space means you can do more (and rear seat passengers do not sit so tightly - always the experience of Mini passengers, yet modern day passengers are less tolerant of this).
All in all, the Mini Cooper S is a car to experience. You will certainly drive this car with a naughty grin on your face and, if your are to trust a spouse or offspring with one, there is the peace of mind that it is built so "you'll really like the bends" and keep it all together.
Mini Cooper S specifications
Engine: 1.6 turbo, 1,598 cc petrol. Four cylinders in line. 16 valves. Two overhead camshafts, roller-type drag arms. Common rail direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger.
CO2 emissions (g/km) 164. Combined fuel consumption 6.9 litres/100 km. BHP 175 at 4,000 rpm. Pulling power (torque) 240 Nm at 5,500 rpm. Max speed 225 km/h. 0-100 km/h 7.1 seconds. Kerb weight 1,130 kg. Steering electro-hydraulic power-assisted. Brakes front, and rear, discs (front, ventilated) Turning circle between kerbs, from 10.7 m.
Where will you keep it?
Overall length 3,714 mm. Width, including mirrors 1,683 mm. Height, unladen 1,407 mm.