Mini Cooper S review, test drive

The latest Mini stays true to traditional design, but under the skin, it’s much more than a standard hatch. Read our comprehensive review.

Published on Nov 08, 2012 12:56:00 PM

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While its four-cylinder petrol motor’s 1.6-litre displacement may mislead you, be in no doubt that the Cooper S is a genuine hot hatch. Unlike the naturally-aspirated engine on the standard Cooper, the S’ direct-injection, aluminium-alloy motor features a twin-scroll turbocharger to increase its power output. It makes a solid 181bhp, delivered at 5500rpm, and 24.5kgm of torque (26.5kgm on overboost) between a very accessible 1600 and 5000rpm. The power-to-weight ratio is also a very favourable 146bhp per tonne, and this allows the S to charge to 100kph from standstill, front wheels scrabbling for grip, in a very rapid 7.32 seconds.

But what these numbers fail to convey is the sheer character with which this small car gathers speed. You don’t feel detached, but always part of the action. Part-throttle responses are really good and are accompanied by a bassy rasp, while the transition to full throttle has the exhaust note deepen to a more serious growl. Mini has even tuned the S’ exhaust to make a popping sound on deceleration for added drama, so even slowing down is fun.

There is also little turbo lag to speak of on the rev needle’s journey to the 6500rpm limiter. That said, the engine does feel best between 2500 and 5000rpm. Also, hot-footing it up our favourite ghat road in Maharashtra, we found second gear too short and third gear too tall for the climb, and spent most of the drive hunting between the two. Gearshifts on the six-speed gearbox are nice, downshifts are quick enough, especially in Sport mode, and you have the option to use the BMW-like pull-push steering paddles (which takes some getting used to), or the gear lever in tiptronic mode for better control.