AutoWeek and the Cooper S

In another thread, MadAboutMINI provided this link of an AutoWeek article on the Cooper S:

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?...code=specials&loc_code=&content_code=00587228

Overall, I thought it was very favorable, but it's a driving impressions feature story rather than a full roadtest.

Still, I thought this particular section may have been the result of too much wine on the return flight from Portugal to the US:

• "...The tougher choice comes when the S is held up against more conventional performance sedans in the same price range. It’s a tough class, including the GTI 1.8T, Civic Si, Sentra SE-R Spec V and SVT Focus. Do you go for the rational choice, with more generous interior volume and superior performance stats? Or have you been seduced by the kooky style, the callback to the great days of British sedan racing, the sheer driving fun factor? What will you do?"

Interior volume? yes, I can see how someone with kids might want a 4-door Sentra SE-R. But "superior performance stats", come on, AutoWeek, you didn't even roadtest the Cooper S, so where does this kind of muddled statement come from?! Let's see some real performance data including slalom figures and then see if you say the same things.