The same, the same as always. The 3rd generation of the new Mini has changed from top to bottom, but its essence is still there. In addition, this Cooper is no longer just design and dynamic turbo engine now adds a sportier feel.

Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, VW Beetle, Fiat 500 and very few others. Next to Mini, They are automotive icons, models in which time fortunately led them to evolve technology and design, but its outlines are still there, their mark, that unique personality that can not be imitated. He Mini and it went through the most difficult: to go from century and become the British model originally, in the same singular utilitarian, but adapted to today … and from the BMW German perspective. I do not know if he could do better. And that the existence of either respond to very different objectives: the shortage of oil supply by the Suez Canal crisis led to British Motor Company improvising a small utility should fit into a box of 10 x 4 x 4 feet (3 x 1.2 x 1.2 meters). Exaggerating a little, that box would enter the interior of this new Mini, today Utility not so mini (3.82 meters), every time more premium and it represents better sportsmanship towards which also led the original Mini.

Feeling go kart

The dynamic feel of the Mini always ‘been so’ and now the message that appears when you move with the command Mini Driving Modes for different laws Available (sport, normal and green) governing address power, the Engine Management through accelerator pedal and especially Piloted unprecedented damping which premieres option. And before the Mini brings you closer to that environment kart from its peculiar driving position. It is a car that takes sit low and delayed and you feel being closer to the rear axle to the front, to the point that will cost regulate the central mirror.

In front of you a precious dashboard, as original as long as their switches, but with new locations. He speedometer happens now be behind the wheel (And above it if you add the Head up Display Screen replicating other numerical speedometer and other information), to allow the large central area take screen functions where all the equipment very modern car is displayed and only a utility like this Mini you can ride.

Like I said, just sit and you sit in a car very different. Incomparable what you can transmit ‘conventionality’ as the Peugeot 208, VW Polo or Opel Adam, among others. even a Audi A1. In addition, we are facing the Cooper, and a well-equipped unit, sport seats, you transmit your senses more sportiness. Firm touch clutch, steering, good guidance of change …

You get to roll and Mini I transmitted solidity, no discomfort. And this strength, in turn, translates into a high agility. In general, you perceive a personality and ride quality not found in any other model of these dimensions. And if previous minis There was also talk about nervousness, Now everything seems to have I dulcificado, but without losing the feeling that you drive a very reactive car. With the Sport laws and especially representing the variable damping, its front end is guided with very little direction, the supports are immediate, Pisa with a even exaggerated firmness; the trust you receive is very high and back if necessary, it provides directionality to the whole, but without that exaltation than previous generations of the new Mini They did not hide.

There are more in three-wheelbase before, way more generous widths and one electronics both acceleration and skidding better integrated. Just braking hard It looks like what it is, a short car tends to meander, especially if you have not aligned, but the right amount to savor the more sinuous your driving is the best route.

Temperate their manners, Mini It has also done much best rutero highway. Pisa Very seated and its direction does not require a special attention to it. It seems that has plenty firmness cushioning, even in normal mode, and consequently you lack some comfort, but being the Cooper, nor do I believe that bother you and change the precision that you can get when you go very fast in a car that no longer small, short and light will reward you.

Smaller, better

But now I mean his new engine. He Cooper receives a new propellant 1.5 Turbo (And fully variable distribution) of three cylinders 136 PS, replacing the 1.6 above atmospheric four-cylinder 122 hp. The change in every way is abysmal. Only by the type of food, new Cooper It is in another dimension. For performance and driveability. Immediately feel a low speed with a solvency to move on 2000 rpm even the longer marches extraordinary. Always pushing, always wins laps and do not feel the need to wring until 6.5000 rpm where gently cut its progression, to roll very fast, taking advantage of how much you have to low and mid-.

Have a character comparable to that of its fast chassis, reagent and sporting, and so I think that makes his peculiar turn and acoustic from three cylinders added value in this Cooper. Also, because both Turbo, turning and unloading pressure, such as escape, bring their own fine tuned symphonies. However, it is not a three cylinders either. BMW He has developed this configuration also for i8 highly sophisticated, although in this case, your 1.5 Turbo reaches yield up to 231 hp. This can give us an idea of ​​the potential of motor Cooper and may explain certain ‘arrhythmias’ when accelerated in specific circumstances.

It gives the impression that it is intervened by the electronic, perhaps to meet torque and power curves assigned to this version of ‘only’ 136 hp. And their consumption. These are very good in most common conventional traffic situations where very little rotation and low load engine throttle, Cooper moves below 6 liters with relative ease, much pleased and very good response. But like all the ‘dowsinzing’ petrol, he consumption rises exponentially when we not skimp with the throttle. Cooper’s problem is not to go to 8 and 9 liters (or more), but their 40 liter tank You see empty at times.

Definitely the new Mini He ceased to be the utility crisis and now their role is quite another. Entire technology industry offered load, on the Mini of our century, to care for all areas of the car. No shortage of luxury winks, nor the cutting-edge security, with sensors that assist systems collision warning, of abuse, automated changing lights, even a wizard for parking maneuvers. Everything fits in the Mini.