The Mini Cooper S is like Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. Weird but loved by everyone. Even though the Mini is a hot hatch, performance and driving dynamics are just a part of its charm. It’s a cutie to look at but it has its roots in rallying.
The OG Mini was born during a financial crisis. The reason it was so tiny was to make it fuel-efficient and affordable. The design was revolutionary at the time because of the transverse engine creating more space for the passengers. It quickly became an icon of British pop culture. Remember that Mr. Bean episode? Fast-forward to 2024, after several iterations, the Mini still has that retro look and a vibrant design language which makes it instantly recognisable!
Wake up, the history lesson is over. Coming back to the present, the ’24 Cooper S is well, interesting.
Interior:
As with Luna Lovegoods’ obnoxious round earrings, the Mini has an obnoxious round screen in the middle of the dash, which also acts as the instrument cluster. It is overwhelming to use with too many menus and submenus. There is no gear selector, instead it has a toggle switch to flick through the driving modes. The steering wheel has a fabric strap instead of the third spoke which does not make sense. The rear-seats are only usable for kids or your dog. Pause here. If you take life very seriously, this car is not for you. You buy this car from the heart, and not the mind. The interior is funky and style is prioritized over practicality. There are four driving modes with distinctive design, ambient lighting, and artificial sound. The dash glows at night and it has a front selfie camera too. We definitely used it!
Driving:
The Mini Cooper has its roots in motorsports and it has always been a great handling car. The same story continues with this gen. The Cooper S is offered with a BMW-sourced 2.0 turbo-petrol engine producing 201 hp and 300 nm, all of it going solely to the front wheels. You know the performance is adequate when it wheelspins even in third gear. This engine is mated to a 7-speed DCT. Although it is quick with shifts, sadly, there is no manual control. You are left wanting for more engagement while driving. It handles like how a Mini should; agile and nimble in the corners. Forget Sports or Sports Plus, the Mini has ‘GREEN’, ‘CORE’ and ‘GO-KART’ mode for you to drive it like one.
Exterior:
Minimalism has been carried over to the exterior design. It has cleaner body-lines. The iconic Union Jack taillights have taken a Brexit. It also misses out on the twin exhausts in the middle. This new design attempts to be understated on a car which already has an iconic design. It is stuck in those two worlds; of taking the cool retro MINI shape into the modern understated world. The headlights wink at you when you unlock it. Stop, Mini. I am blushing.
Conclusion:
With a massive price tag starting from Rs. 44.9 Lakhs (ex-showroom), you buy it only because you love it. Rest assured, you will not find a car as weird and wonderful as the Mini!
