True driving pleasure is a derivative of the unity among man, machine, and the road. Does the new Mini Cooper S offer enough of it?
The new Mini Cooper S has arrived and, as always, it is exciting to talk about it because everyone secretly wants one; a smallish three-door hot hatch whose only purpose in life is to be fun to drive. Seeing how this fifth-gen Cooper may be the last one with an engine under the bonnet, we spent some quality time behind its wheel to enjoy driving and also to get some serious work done.
Expecting a Mini to be mini is a lost cause these days because they have been growing in size with each generation, but the Cooper S is certainly a compact car by modern standards. It is 3,876 millimetres long, 1,744 mm wide, and has a height of 1,432 mm; most people can see the car’s roof when they stand next to it. Yes, it is longer, wider, and taller than the 2021 model but not by a huge margin. Globally, the Cooper S is offered with 18-inch wheels but our test car had 17-inch ones and, after some city driving, we feel the 17s make more sense overall because despite being a sporty offering, the Cooper S is a car that is expected to be used as an enthusiast’s daily conveyance. Although Mini did not share the ground clearance figure, this is a fairly low car and needs to be handled with care over undulating roads and notorious speed-breakers. While changes in the iconic silhouette are marginal, the headlights and tail-lights are new units and they offer a few different light patterns.
It is difficult to comment on the differences in the cabin between this Cooper S and its predecessor because their approaches are different. The new one is focused more on sustainability, so a lot of the traditional luxury materials have been replaced by textile-based alternatives and soft-touch plastic. The seats are covered in Vescin, which is a perforated artificial leather-free upholstery made from recycled materials. No complaints about the way all of it feels, but it may require more maintenance than what we are used to. Opinion is still divided as regards the 240-mm circular touchscreen but the head-up display does a good job of relaying essential information to the driver at a glance. Personally, it did not hamper my driving experience because the Cooper S is more about the joy of driving than numbers. Mini have done well to make the whole screen usable but it goes back to a rectangular layout when using Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, which we hope can be fixed through an update. The Harman Kardon Surround Sound system and the fisheye interior camera are other highlights inside the cabin.
Personally, I am not very fond of the concept that reduces buttons and adds more functions into the touchscreen but that is the route Mini have chosen. There are only eight buttons on the console and two of them are the ignition and the gear selector. A twist of the ignition key brings the engine to life (a nice touch) and a nudge is all it takes to put the car in gear. The steering wheel has a few buttons to minimize distraction when on the move but the absence of paddle-shifters or any form of control over the transmission is an oversight for such a sporty car. In the driver’s seat, one is immediately aware of the Cooper S’ sporty intentions. Even when standing still, it makes you feel connected to the car, like a big go-kart, if I may make that reference. However, getting into and out of the Mini is not everyone’s cup of tea because of its low stance. So, if you see an older gentleman/lady who owns one, tip your hat or give them a friendly wave because they are probably just as passionate about driving as you are, fellow enthusiasts.
Numbers do not define the Mini Cooper S but one should know that the 2.0-litre, in-line, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine produces 204 hp and a peak torque of 300 Nm between 1,450 and 4,500 rpm. Choice of transmission is limited to a seven-speed DCT and Mini claim the Cooper S can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. The combination is exciting but a manual transmission would have been epic. That apart, it is a proper riot in a straight line and around corners.
For that, I would wholeheartedly recommend the “Go-kart” mode. Holding each gear for longer and increasing the level of engine noise (synthesised) in the cabin are its highlights. Under the layers of electronic trickery, the Cooper S is still a fun car that relies on the driver’s skill and input. This compact front-wheel-drive hatchback has tremendous braking power which can be dialled in precisely for faster entry speeds into bends. It is capable of entering corners at triple-digit speeds with remarkable confidence and there is no understeer to speak of below 120 km/h. Of course, that was the fastest I was willing to attempt on our roads. The car holds the road well and tracks around a corner with enthusiasm and precision. The feeling at the steering wheel is direct and rich. There is so much to look forward to each time you get behind the wheel. It is properly fun, that much can be stated as fact. Also, its full potential is best explored on smooth, quiet, and curvy roads (which are rare) or a racetrack. For a more laid-back driving experience, the “Efficient” or “Core” modes are better.
The suspension which keeps the Cooper S enjoyably abundant in feedback and precision may be challenging to live with in town and for no fault of the car. It is stiffly sprung, so the ride quality on our sad excuses for roads is not the best but if you live in a city that is blessed with good road infrastructure, this is a car that is worth driving every day. On the highway, the set-up works well to keep the car planted and does not let the underbody scrape while driving over small undulations at speed but it is better to be mindful of the road surface before setting off like a speeding bullet.
It is priced at Rs 44.90 lakh (ex-showroom), which will easily be in excess of half a crore by the time the car leaves the showroom. As of now, Mini claim this is their last ICE Cooper S ever but since most manufacturers worldwide have been withdrawing their EV targets and claims, we are not taking it seriously; but while more Minis may come with an ICE, they are most likely to come with stronger hybrid powertrains. Until then, this mild-hybrid combination seems like a good option to rely on because our serious work has allowed us to divine two important facts. One is that the Cooper S continues to be outstanding fun and the second is that everyday usability trickles down to road surface and an individual’s levels of tolerance. If we get a chance, we would like to see how much of a difference 16-inch wheels make to the handling and ride quality.
We also wish that the Cooper S was lighter, had a manual transmission or paddle-shifters, and had fewer quirky gizmos and gadgets because what we want is more car and less tech. Perhaps, Mini are saving all that for the John Cooper Works model.
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