Weighing in at just 1,140 kg, the MINI Cooper S is a powerful and agile four-seater car, offering a 0 - 62mph time of just 7.4 seconds and an impressive top speed of 135 mph. As so often said by our members on the MINI2 forum, acceleration and top speed aren’t everything, however. Pulling power around the dial is crucial to the car’s success and MINI Cooper S produces an impressively “beefy” torque curve with 80 per cent of the maximum torque available between 2,500 and 6,500 rpm. All this means the Cooper S should be equally at home on a busy motorway as it would on a twisty country road.

The 16 valve Pentagon engine also found on the MINI One and Cooper models is improved through a mechanically driven supercharger and intercooler. The supercharger compresses the fresh air drawn in by the engine to an overpressure of 0.8 bar, heating the air in the compression process. The intercooler then cools it back down again, without a drop in pressure, before it enters the combustion chambers. Bore and stroke remain unchanged and the result is an increase in engine charge, output and performance. Power delivery is instant with the tooth belt driven compressor experiencing none of the lag suffered by many turbo driven cars. This system develops torque steadily through the range peaking at 155 lb-ft (210 Nm) at 4,000 rpm.

in comparison to the other models in the MINI range, the exhaust system has been modified for performance and sound to let you know you are behind the wheels of a special little car each time the engine fires up. Modifications to the crankshaft, pistons, valves, radiator and the engine management system also contribute to the car’s extra 48 bhp. Drive-by-wire throttle technology, as used on all MINIs, ensures the Cooper S is extremely reactive, utilising an electric motor to operate the throttle butterfly instead of a conventional gas cable. Despite all these performance led modifications fuel consumption remains impressive at 33.6 mpg (combined).

The base model One and sportier Cooper have been praised for their agility and direct handling, but Cooper S drivers will find even more driving enjoyment at their fingertips. Sports Suspension Pus (an optional extra on the Cooper) and MINI’s direct electrohydraulic steering, with just 2.5 turns of the wheel from lock to lock, offers sharp handling and excellent feedback, resulting in what has been described as a kart-like driving experience. Reinforced McPherson spring struts with a reinforced anti-roll bar at the front provide outstanding stability on winding roads without compromising motorway refinement. As with all MINI’s, Directional stability is further guaranteed as both drive shafts are identical in length, unlike on most other Superminis, providing symmetrical feedback during cornering, accelerating and braking.

Automatic Stability Control with Traction Control (ASC + T) as standard ensures that the extra power to the front wheels is conveyed safely to the road at all times and can be deactivated at the flick of a switch for the more adventurous driver. The system uses the ABS sensors to detect any wheel slippage, automatically cutting power to any spinning wheel until it grips again. It also works under deceleration on a slippery surface if a wheel approaches lock-up due to engine braking. In this instance power is gently fed to that wheel to get it rolling again and so control is regained. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is available as an option and is an even more advanced system. It maintains cornering stability at all times, not just under braking, adjusting the attitude of the car through automatic brake applications to individual wheels.

MINI’s multi-arm rear axle is unique in this segment of the market and, again, is supported by a reinforced stabiliser bar ensuring optimum roadholding at all times. Balanced weight distribution, front to rear, also aids the stunning road-holding capabilities and razor-sharp turn-in. Sixteen inch light-alloy wheels wear 195/55 R 16 tyres as standard and optional 205/45 tyres running on impressive seventeen inch S-spoke wheels are available.

Supplementing the ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC) systems that are standard on the One and Cooper, the addition of ASC + T and the optional DSc places the new MINI Cooper S as the safest, small driver’s car on the market. Cornering Braking Control (CBC) tempers the natural tendency for a car to become unstable at the rear if the brakes are applied heavily while cornering. The system recognises that the car is cornering and feeds more braking force to the outside front wheel and counteracts potential oversteer. Additionally, more braking force can be fed to the rear brakes slowing the car as fast as possible with maximum stability.

The MINI Cooper S is the only car in its class to be fitted with run-flat tyres offering optimum active safety in the event of a puncture and sparing the driver the trouble, and danger, of changing a wheel on the spot. Tyre wall reinforcements and heatproof rubber compounds prevent the tyre walls from rubbing together when deflated, or the tyre from jumping off the rim, and the driver can therefore continue for 90 miles at up to 50 mph. The tyre defect indicator warns the driver of any loss of pressure via a warning light on the speedometer.

The Cooper S offers a high standard of passive safety. Front and side “intelligent” airbags inflate in accordance with the severity of an accident and interact precisely with the pyrotechnical belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters. Side airbags as standard in the seat backrests and the optional Advanced Head Protection System (AHPS 2) ensure a high standard of occupant safety in a collision from the side. With the tubular structure of the head airbags extending from the front to the rear roof pillars, both front and rear occupants are equally well protected.

Instantly recognisable as the flagship model of the MINI range, badged ‘S’ on the side and rear, the Cooper S styling features give a visual indication of its abilities, but also play a major role in enhancing its driving characteristics and performance. For example the air intake scoop is an eye-catching addition to the styling and funnels fresh air under the bonnet, cooling the air flowing between the supercharger and the engine. New, body coloured front and rear bumpers house an integrated honeycomb grille and two chrome-plated tailpipes respectively. The side-sills and wider wheel arches are finished in black. The roof spoiler completes the impressive styling whilst increasing down forces on the rear axle and improving even further the car’s directional stability and driving characteristics.

A bespoke chrome-plated fuel cap, chrome-plated side grilles and chrome “MINI Cooper S” door sill strips give off an air of exclusivity that is complemented by the brushed aluminium look of the interior facia. The MINI’s unique interior design language is borne out by further high-quality materials and Sport seats come as standard (cloth/leather or leather options). The stainless steel foot rest, and leather steering wheel and gear stick accentuate the quality of this top-of-the-range model.

As previously rumoured on MINI2, the MINI Cooper S is available in eight exterior colours, two of which are exclusive to this top model: Electric Blue metallic and Dark Silver metallic (pictured). The crossbars in the radiator grille and boot grab handle come in body colour, whilst the roof and exterior mirrors are finished in white or black (body coloured roof available as a no cost option).

In summary, the Cooper S standard equipment (over MINI Cooper) is as follows

Uprated engine to 163 bhp (115bhp on the Cooper)

sports suspension plus
6-speed manual gearbox
Sixteen inch alloys with run-flat tyres
Automatic Stability Control and Traction control (ASC+T)

Styling - Air intake scoop, larger front bumper including honeycomb grille, re-designed rear bumper housing chrome plated twin exhaust pipes, re-designed wheel arches, rear roof spoiler, ‘S’ badging on side and rear, chrome plated side grille with clear indicators, chrome plated fuel cap, two exclusive metallic colours.

Interior - Chrome door sill strip, brushed aluminium-look dash, sport seats, stainless steel foot rest, leather steering wheel and gear stick