- Doors and Seats
3 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
1.6i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
90kW, 160Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 5.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Groovy baby
Pigeonhole: Retro-gnome.
Philosophy: Grrrooovy, baby.
Who's buying it: Attention-seekers and people who grew up in the swinging '60s – or people who wished they had grown up in what they thought the swinging '60s was like. The Mini is the star car of the next Austin Powers movie sequel. Say no more.
Why you'd buy it: It gets more stares than a new Holden Monaro.
Why you wouldn't: It gets more stares than a new Holden Monaro.
Standard equipment: BMW now owns the British icon, so most compact luxury car items are covered: climate-controlled air conditioning, trip computer, remote entry, CD player with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, power steering, windows and mirrors. Oddly, given the buyer type, the vanity mirrors are not illuminated.
Safety: Six airbags (two front, two side and two to protect the heads of front occupants). If you have a crash, it will look like a jumping castle in there. No independent crash data yet available but promises to perform well. Anti-lock brakes are standard, traction control is optional but not necessary (see engine).
Cabin: Looks like it was designed by Mickey Mouse with big, plastic round dials and toggle switches everywhere. Fortunately, form has not overtaken function.
Seating: For four only. Very tight in the back, not much headroom.
Engine: Anyone who remembers Minis as being zippy and fun will be disappointed with the performance, if that's the word, from the asthmatic 1.6-litre four-cylinder motor (84kW). In polite terms it is achingly slow.
Transmission: The five-speed manual was slick and precise.
Steering: Well weighted, with an OK turning circle.
Ride: On most roads, it's fine. Loses composure on sharp bumps. Be careful not to bite your tongue.
Handling: With a wheel at each corner, the Mini loves bends. It just needs a decent run-up to get to them. We don't know what it's like to drive on the standard 15-inch wheels and tyres. Every media test car feature the better-looking 16-inch wheel and tyre combination. The 15-inch wheels are pictured.
Fuel: Frugal (it would want to be). Expect an average of 7.2 litres per 100km.
Brakes: Responsive four-wheel discs with ABS.
Build: Early impressions were good, but the roof rail on the test car began to peel off as we were about to hand it back. We have received a small number of reports of windscreens cracking (possibly because of body flex), but the Mini makers insists it is not aware of any major issue adding that 25,000 Minis have now been built.
Warranty: Two years/unlimited kilometres. Below average.
Security: Not that this would be used as a getaway car, but it is protected by an engine immobiliser and, as with all BMWs, microscopic dots carrying the car's ID number are sprayed on the underside of the car to prevent rebirthing.
Audio: Above-average sound from six-speaker AM-FM CD player.
Cost: The basic Mini Cooper is $32,650, or $34,850 with a six-speed CVT auto. No deals at this stage because the Mini still has its new-car lustre. If Mini follows the sales trend of other retro-mobiles, expect some heavy discounting in six to 12 months.
Verdict: As a compact luxury car, the Mini is a worthwhile proposition. But it's not for shy types or anyone in a hurry.