In the world of hatchbacks, the Mini Cooper S has always been a favourite with enthusiasts. It’s a car that’s known for its ability to bring out the boy racer in men, with its performance and go-kart like handling. And the latest generation Cooper S has just gone on sale in the country!
This is the fifth generation Cooper S but what’s worth noting about it is that its design is an evolution, of all the past generations of the car. So the headlamps, while properly modern, are still round in shape. This new Mini looks a lot cleaner from the front though, thanks to the minimalistic design approach and there are no fog lamps or additional air dams, just the grille. The car’s silhouette has not changed from the sides either and this new Mini is huge as compared to the original Mini launched more than six decades ago, but it retains the classic Mini formula with its short bonnet, short overhangs and long wheelbase. What’s more, visually this new Mini also looks similar to the outgoing version in terms of the design of its frameless doors and overall silhouette.
The rear end also looks very minimalistic as the bumper and boot lid are flat. But the tail lamps are new and look different, thanks to their triangular shape. Additionally, this new Mini has also traded what was always a visual identity for the Cooper S, the centrally positioned twin exhaust tips. In fact despite this being the S, the exhaust tips have been hidden from view completely. Overall there’s a lot to like about the design, but what I like the most about the new Mini is that it retains that distinctive design we’ve known for decades now which helps you fall in love with it thanks to the timeless design.
Interiors are all-new and the theme is very minimalistic. So the dashboard design is clean, the air-conditioning vents, which now get rotary knobs, are integrated into the dashboard itself, while a lot of the buttons and switches on centre console are gone. In fact almost all controls, including those for air-conditioning, have been moved to the 9.4-inch, circular touchscreen display. There’s lots of BMW influences too, like the steering wheel rim and its controls, though the fabric strap at the wheel’s bottom is a nice touch. The ‘stand-up’ wireless charging pad is also the same as BMWs like the X1 and iX1. That said, there’s some very interesting details in the new Mini, like the textures of the fabric on the dashboard and the fact that there is no use of leather anywhere on the dashboard in keeping with Mini’s focus on sustainability.
The circular display is an OLED touchscreen with an Android-based operating system that Mini has developed with Samsung. The display is crisp and bright and its colours rich, but system can be a little slow to respond at times. Mini has also added ‘Experiences’ to the Cooper S which include driving modes and multiple themes for the display. What used to be the Sport mode has been renamed as go-kart and is the mode where throttle and engine responses are the quickest. It’s also where the digital display looks the sportiest. You can also customise the display to add widgets or choose what information you want to view. Of course, there’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the display for Apple CarPlay is a square one. And while ADAS isn’t something I would have expected to see in a Mini, the new Cooper S does get Level 1 ADAS now, including functions like Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning and more.
It continues to use a 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, but outputs have gone up from the previous generation’s 178PS and 280Nm to 204PS and 300Nm. Peak torque is available from just 1,450rpm, ensuring this new Mini retains its smile inducing characteristics. Performance is expectedly impressive, though the exhaust sounds muted and you’re left wanting for a better soundtrack when giving the 2.0-litre engine the beans. Claimed 0-100kmph is just 6.6 seconds and on the road, the Cooper S feels quick. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that’s quick to respond to throttle inputs, but there are no paddle shifters, which is a definite let-down despite the car’s smile-inducing nature.
The new Cooper S springs a pleasant surprise on the dynamics front though. We’ve always known and liked the car for its go-kart like handling, which comes courtesy of its stiff suspension setup. And good news here is that this new Cooper S retains that character, but unlike before it does not trade ride quality in the process – the ride quality it offers is surprisingly good! It was almost hard to believe how well the Cooper S was soaking up ruts and potholes, besides which, it was also cushioning me well from expansion joints on flyovers. This, while living up to the expectations I had on the handling front. It felt planted, be it when accelerating hard in a straight line or out of bends and lived up to being a Cooper S. At the same time, the steering offered the kind of feel and feedback I was looking for, while also feeling perfectly weighted. Effectively, nothing has really changed on the handling front and this one entertains a lot, just like its predecessors. Trust the guys at BMW, and Mini for the matter, to have you break into a smile with their vehicle dynamics!
There’s more good news about this new Cooper S besides it’s surprisingly good ride quality though and that’s the price tag. The all-new Cooper S retails at ₹ 45 lakh ex-showroom, which, considering that it comes in via the CBU route, is a little expensive. But more importantly, this is an iconic nameplate that feels even better to drive and offers better comfort than before while packing in more technology. It’s also a lot of fun to drive and retains that smile inducing nature we’ve always liked the Cooper S for. And that to me is more important in this car than many other things about it.
