If there ever was a Brigitte Bardot (cute yet sexy and powerful, for those of you not into classic cinema) in the world of cars, it would have to be the MINI
Much has been said about the MINI, much can still be said about the MINI and yet there will continue to be so much more left to be said about the MINI. It is undoubtedly the Brigitte Bardot of the automotive world, which is to say, it’s a veritable sex symbol. For those of you who aren’t really very familiar with classic cinema, Brigitte Bardot was one of the original sex symbols. The same can be said of the MINI. It’s as iconic a car as can possibly be. Men have had their knees buckled while many a woman has swooned at the sight of the MINI. Truly, if there was ever a sex symbol of the auto world it would have to be the MINI. Not to mention the car’s amazing legacy. Its rise from rags to riches (it has transitioned from being a people’s car to a lifestyle statement) can be rivalled by few among its ilk. Naturally, when the opportunity to drive the latest iteration of this icon came along, it was a straight case of “give in to the temptation.”
Despite its origins as a super compact people’s car, the current MINI is anything but. Yet, in spite of all its dimensional expansion, it continues to be as impractically incredible as ever. No, if you’re looking for a sensible car the MINI should not figure on any page of any list that you might draw up. Now change that to a list of cars that make you smile every time you see them and transform the smile into a grin every time you get behind the wheel then the MINI figures on every single page on that list of yours.
I mean, look at it. Those bug eyed headlamps, that brilliant colour scheme and those fabulously contemporary yet classically MINI lines just make you fall in love with it. Even at standstill. And that’s just on the outside. Get inside and the cabin will titillate you with its pop-culture-inspired neon ambient lighting. Not to mention that massive round dial in the centre console that houses the infotainment system, which includes the sat nav. The leathers seats wrap around the body to provide good all round support and the steering wheel too is nice and meaty to grip. It’s best not to talk about in cabin space since that is clearly not the MINI’s forte, especially given that the car makes no pretention of being practical. To be fair though, you won’t really find space up front lacking. However don’t try putting anyone on the other side of adolescence in the rear. That’s pretty cramped. Also, please please do not think this is a five-seater hatchback. It isn’t. It can accommodate two adults (up front) and a couple of kids (at the rear).
