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Mini Cooper: driving pleasure as intense as ever

Published 11:47 am Friday, November 16, 2007

If only all manual transmissions were as smooth and precise as the Mini Cooper’s.

Though the initial wild infatuation with the Mini’s appearance has relaxed some since it first appeared, the pleasure derived from driving this sporty compact is as intense as ever.

For model year 2007, the Mini Cooper has been extensively remodeled. It has a new engine — a 1.6-liter, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder generating 118 horsepower in the base Mini Cooper model, and a turbocharged version for the Mini Cooper S, producing 172 horsepower. The Mini Cooper’s 0-to-60 mph acceleration time is 8.5 seconds; the Mini Cooper S makes the trip in 6.7 seconds.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a six-speed automatic with Steptronic manual shift capability is optional.

EPA fuel economy ratings, based on 2007 government standards, are 32/40 mpg for the Mini Cooper and 26/36 mpg for the Mini Cooper S.

Exterior design changes include an enlarged front section (to make room for the new engine and meet regulations for pedestrian protection), headlights with integrated turn indicator lights and turned slightly to the outside, and a one-piece hexagonal grille.

Interior updates include a wider range of available features, more space, upgraded materials, fewer items in the instrument panel but with more functions, and attention to improved ergonomics. There’s still an enormous, round speedometer in the middle of the dash and toggle-style control switches for the controls. The conventional ignition key has been replaced by a round, electronic signal transmitter that allows engine operation to be controlled by a start/stop button.

I drove a Mini Cooper with six-speed manual transmission. Optional equipment was piled on: Convenience Package, Cold Weather Package, Premium Package, Sport Package, rear fog light, upgraded sound system, leather upholstery and brushed alloy interior trim — driving the modest base price of $18,700 up to a substantial $26,250. I’d want the sunroof, front fog lights, multifunction steering-wheel controls, and heated mirrors and front seats the options list added, but everything else I’d delete in favor of a lower sticker. Same goes for the engine. The naturally-aspirated version is hot enough for a great time, and I could live without the extra horsepower in exchange for lower pricing and such fantastic fuel economy.

The Mini Cooper is tiny overall, but you wouldn’t believe how roomy it is inside, how practical it is if you don’t need a big people-hauler, how solid it is and, omigod, how much fun it is to drive.