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 BMW has announced
the availability of one of the most anticipated new models in recent
times, one that brings fun, excitement, practicality, safety, comfort,
style and top-notch engineering and build quality to compact motoring - at
a price.
Many buyers will baulk at the New MINI's price, but considering the
performance and safety level of this compact hatch, the high level of BMW
engineering and build quality, and the fun and excitement factor too often
absent in modern cars, it deserves a second chance on anyone's shortlist.
Three models will eventually be available in SA - MINI One, MINI Cooper
and MINI Cooper S (and yes, the upper case spelling is deliberate) - of
which only the Cooper version is available immediately, with Cooper S to
follow from July 2002.
Starting life as a modern-day
concept car interpretation of sir Alec Issigonis' 1959 Mini, it went into
series-production in Europe during 2000, immediately setting the benchmark
in its class through outstanding technology in every respect. The
multi-arm rear axle, for example, is quite unique in this segment of the
market. Anti-roll bars on the front and rear axle, the very direct
electro-hydraulic power steering, the low centre of gravity and the long
wheelbase also contribute to the driving experience reminiscent of a
go-kart giving the driver motoring pleasure at its best.
It is also supremely safe, with a lot of technology taken straight from
the BMW parts bin: disc brakes (vented at the front) on all four wheels,
ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distribution, Cornering Brake Control
(CBC), and intelligent airbag system (front and side bags with curtain
bags). Options include ASC+T traction control (standard on the MINI Cooper
S) and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control).
According to a BMW release, the MINI is the only car in its class fitted
with a run-flat indicator as standard.
Power and performance in the Cooper comes in the form of a 4-cylinder,
16-valve 1.6-litre Pentagon engine (developed as a joint project between
BMW and Chrysler) producing 85 kW and good for a 0 - 100 km/h sprint time
of 9.2 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. Consumption figures are a
claimed 6.7 litres/100 km.
 The engine is mated
to a standard, close-ratio five speed box on Cooper models and a six-speed
manual gearbox on the Cooper S. The Cooper S also gets an adrenaline boost
in the form of a supercharger to boost power to 120 kW and the top speed
to 218 km/h, while the 0 to 100 km/h sprint time is 7.4 seconds. Claimed
economy figures here are 8.4 litres/100 km.
Special paint trim set the MINI apart from its competitors and harks back
to Mini's of old: on both Cooper and Cooper S, the roof and rear-view
mirrors are available in white or black, regardless of the actual body
colour. With the roof in body colour, the rear-view mirrors always come in
black. The Cooper S is distinguished from the Cooper by an air intake
scoop in the front lid, while the bumpers and air dams are in body colour.
Other features are a discreet rear spoiler, two chrome-plated tailpipes, a
side-grille with an integrated "S", chrome-plated fuel tank filler flap,
white direction indicators at the front, and 16-inch light-alloy wheels.
Inside, the Cooper S is dominated by top-quality textiles, surfaces and
leather trim exclusive to this top-of-the-range model. All displays come
in silver surrounds, while the electronic displays are finished in black.
The dashboard is available in a number of different versions, with the
surface finished in silver or with wood trim apart from the anthracite
finish featured as standard. The rev counter standard on the Cooper rests
on the steering column, directly in the driver's line of vision. Available
as an option, the glove compartment comes complete with a holder for eye
glasses, a coin and pen holder, as well as two additional cup holders.
Fitted with air conditioning, the illuminated glove compartment can be
cooled whenever required.
The steering column is height adjustable. Options include a leather
steering wheel, a wooden steering wheel with leather on its inner parts,
and a multifunction steering wheel for direct operation of the radio and
cruise control.
A trim strip with up to six toggle switches on the centre console is
carried over from the original Mini. Designed as spring buttons, the
switches automatically return to their original position after use. The
switches for the front and rear fog lamps are inlaid with LEDs which
verifying their on/off status. All other functions are indicated by LEDs
within the speedometer housing.
Seats offer superior comfort and side support. Different materials are
used for the seat upholstery and headrests than for the actual seat
squabs. The choice of seat
 upholstery is a
matter of taste, with a combination of cloth and leather or three
different leather upholstery designs being available as an option. Sports
seats are an option.
MINI Cooper models are available with an automatic continuously variable
transmission (CVT) which includes Steptronic control to allow a choice
between normal automatic transmission motoring for convenient and smooth
driving and a more sporting style of motoring using a six-speed
semi-automatic function.
Suspension is a McPherson setup on the front axle a multi-arm setup on the
rear axle with anti-roll bar to offer go kart-like handling abilities.
All MINI's can be customised to meet individual buyer's requirements. Spec
choices include Pepper, which comprises storage nets supplementing the
wide range of storage spaces, bumpers with chrome strips, a silver-coloured
interior, special 15-inch aluminium wheels plus an interior light package
and foglamps all featured as standard.
Chili models are aimed a sports-minded Cooper enthusiasts, and get sports
seats, a roof spoiler and a leather steering wheel
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