MINI COOPER Review
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MINI COOPER Review
Summary:
What we like: Styling, Steering, Handling
What we don't like: Cramped interior, Small boot.
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MINI COOPER review in detail:
It would have been silly to interfere with styling of the new MINI, launched in 2002, as it was undoubtedly its number-one selling feature. So much so that it can be hard to pick the latest car from the superseded one despite the body being all-new.The 2007 MINI is bigger than the old to permit the fitting of a bulkier engine and to make its front kinder to pedestrians in a crash.
The new engine is a much more modern unit than the old and still has a capacity of 1.6 litres. It's offered in standard or turbocharged format, the latter for the Cooper S application. The increased power is immediately evident on the road. The car has plenty of get-up-and-go and is happy to rev to its redline.
Response is almost immediate, even on the turbo variant, though it's on the dead side until it gets to about 2500 rpm.
Slightly more refined in its on-road behaviour, the new MINI still has that lovely lively feel in its steering and suspension that was such a feature of the previous car.
However, the extra size of the new MINI doesn't translate into a larger cabin and the rear seat is still tight for legroom unless the front occupants are willing to move their seats forward substantially.