[KlausR]

The german car magazine with the best reputation "auto motor und sport" has published the first full road test of the Cooper S including acceleration, braking and dynamics test numbers. Overall verdict: "Among the subcompacts the Cooper S plays a very special role with very good performance, high driving safety, best handling and acceptable ride." It is a real GT and more a 2- than a 4-seater. The brakes disappoint under stress."

In fact the stopping distances are quite good with cold discs, producing a deceleration of 1.01 Gs . After ten stopps from 62 mph the braking force decreases to 0.87 Gs.
That´s quite remarkable as this effect couldn´t be noted on the Cooper with exactly the same brakes.

The acceleration:
0-62 mph: 7.7 s
0-75 mph: 10.6 s
0-100 mph: 19.2 s (Cooper: 27.8 s)

The last remark of the review is indeed very encouraging for all Cooper S fans: "...nearly 20.000 €. Much, but not too much for a small Porsche."

In the future I´m going to use this thread for further interesting reviews. Another magazine "sport auto" has announced to put the Cooper S through what they call the hardest sports car test in the world: The "sport auto" Supertest, including 0-125-0 mph combined acceleration and braking procedure, high speed cornering, slalom and evasive manover tests and last but not least some fast laps on the 13-mile Nurburgring with it´s legendary track profile.

Klaus

[James Haigh]

Would have liked the 0-62 time to have been better. Lets see what autocars road test comes up with next week!

[S200]

Klaus

Thanks for the post. Acceleration seems in line to me for the power of the S. I'd guessed at 18.5 to 100, so a little out. Puts it some way behind a Type R at 16.2, but compared with some of the old greats, on a better footing, 205 GTI and Clio Williams (and no one complained about their performance)

When does the other test come out ?. Be good to see if they use the Cooper at the Ring on the same day as its main rivals.

Jonathan

[KlausR]

@S200

The new issue of "sport auto" uses to contain a simple test review of the Cooper S and the verdict was a little conflicting as they appreciate the fun factor of it, but scrutinize the race track capability of the S (after taking it to Hockenheim).

"The back road is it´s optimum home. The race track is not unfamiliar to it, but is not it´s preferred district."

The testers mainly criticize the absence of a limited slip differential to improve traction when exiting tight corners. They were also not very impressed by the engine pull under 4000 rpm and the brake performance (which was definitly better than in the above ams test: 1.04 Gs cold and 0.98 Gs warm). But remember this magazine has specialized 100% on sports cars. The same issue contained a Supertest of the Lamborghini Murciélago. That profession may create some kind of "contrast mistake" when rating the Cooper S. Nevertheless this result makes me a little unsecure if they are still willing to produce a Supertest with the MINI.

Concerning your argument of direct comparison: I believe the whole test is to complex to measure more than one or two different contestants at the same time. The advantage is that the Ring reveals more qualities of a car so that single factors like temperature won´t mess up the results too much. Furthermore the testers always reflect about possible disturbing factors and mention them on the article.

I still hope we will get a Nurburgring time of the S, but we´ll have to wait one or two issues (months) at least.

Klaus

[Red & White Cooper 2]

Autocar reported prototype Cooper Ss at close to nine minutes round the Ring - 20 seconds quicker than the standard Cooper.

[KlausR]

For those, who don´t check the "Press" forum frequently, I have posted a summary of the recent "Supertest" review of the MCS JCW - revealing some disturbing facts - in this thread.

Klaus

[MCS_LecBlue]

Good to still see the review. Waiting on delivery of the new JCW kit.
Also have an EB/W MCS with white wheels (but x-lites).
Early press car look is the way to go!