Test: Mini cooper S - injection of growth hormone is working well for him

Although the new mini looks quite similar to the previous one at first glance, a closer look reveals that it has been significantly stretched in almost all directions, even though it is still among the smaller representatives of the B-segment. The headlights are also larger and flatter, the rear ones also received an injection of growth hormone, the sides are higher, and the glasses are smaller.

The version is still eloquently testified by the many letters S on the body, the air intake opening and the aforementioned opening below, on the side there are fewer differences, and on the back there is a "bouncy" at the junction of the roof and the rear glass major spoiler, and on the lower part a sports bumper with dual exhaust pipe. "Pompa" is just enough with this, but despite everything, it does not bring excesses. Some may be reserved for the JCW version yet to come.

Even more than the outer image, it seems that it has acquired an inner one. This one seems larger and more airy, which the designers achieved with the windshield placed further forward, and overall there is more space than before. Sitting in the first row is already almost luxurious, although entry is still difficult, there is not much space in the second row, but life there is now more sustainable even on longer journeys. the same "Mini" remained trunk, which with 211 basic liters unable to raise the pulse of the family oriented. But it got a useful double bottom that hides little things.

Great progress has been made in the appearance of the center console, which basically works the same, but it has received many modern details, such as the rock around the large meter, which serves as an indicator of how economically the driver is driving, and there are also keyboards on the extension of the center console interface relative iDrivu from BMWs. We also like the button for starting the vehicle, which is located in the lower middle, and the red coloring raises the heart rate of the user. The ergonomics are still quite unique, but you get used to everything quickly, from this point of view, we were only disturbed by the distance of the seat belts, which do not reach the feeders, and due to the central armrest, it is sometimes a little more difficult to fasten them.

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In terms of equipment, it's still a classic Mini, which means you basically get all the essentials and a few extras, but for bigger appetites you have to look at the list of extras, which is reasonably long and also quite expensive. The tester was almost in favor of it 12 thousand allowances, which made the equipment almost complete, but still left many things on the list, such as leather.

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The new Cooper S also has a bigger "heart". 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine it replaced the 1.6-liter, and despite the additional volume, this one is more economical than the previous one. It also gained some power, and the performance is correspondingly better, as the vehicle is slightly lighter despite its growth. The car pulls nicely in all modes of operation, as the turbo hole is now less noticeable, accelerations are more consistent, and the steering wheel is less prone to pulling out of your hands. Everything happens very smoothly, so the driver does not even have the feeling to accelerate to a hundred in everything 6.8 seconds, and the speedometer stops at 235 km/h.

All of this is accompanied by exceptional driving characteristics, where the extremely good mechanics of the vehicle come to the fore, even though the suspension is hard on a poor surface. Of course, the mini feels best in a corner, where the engine connection, transmission and steering wheel come to the fore, and they work perfectly (together). At the same time, the Mini is very easy to drive. However, the new mini has very different temperaments thanks to the adaptive driving dynamics, where sport and normal are characteristic of this hot hatch, and the green mode subordinates everything to economy. In the latter, the Cooper S is also an unexpectedly frugal sportsman, as the user can expect a consumption of around 7.5-liter, and with increasing dynamics, consumption is also not growing as fast as before. Ten is thus much "harder" to achieve than with its predecessor.

But you are surely wondering how much all this will cost. But the base price of the cooper S version is 24,500 euros, and Testnikova stopped just under 12 thousand higher at 36,181 euros, which is quite a lot regardless.

The nose of the vehicle has received a new look of lights, which are more Porsche, very trendy, and the characteristic LEDs are also pleasing, which are also the most obvious distinguishing sign of the fourth generation of the model.

The driver's workspace is typical of this brand, yet there is so much new that it feels fresh and modern. We like the illuminated ignition switch, the climate control switches are also new, and the materials and build are quality.

The huge center gauge remained, but lost the speedometer, which required the driver to take his eyes off the road. It also gained in functionality and appearance.