The Mini Cooper is fresh from a complete redesign that was launched for the 2007 model year. To meet European environmental and fuel-economy requirements, BMW designed a completely new engine in cooperation with Peugeot. It produces approximately the same horsepower as before: 118 in the Mini Cooper and 172 in the Mini Cooper S. But now a turbocharger in the Cooper S, in place of the old supercharger, delivers 177 pound-feet of torque from 1600 to 5000 rpm, significantly improving the sportier model's performance.
This second-generation version continues to generate smiles on the faces of passersby. That's an impressive feat given the first-generation models have been with us since 2000 and the current version looks very similar.
The Mini Cooper brings smiles to the faces of its drivers because it's a lot of fun to drive. It's also a practical car, with comfortable seats, useful cargo capacity, and an EPA-rated City/Highway 28/37 miles per gallon.
Inside, it's large enough to accommodate all sizes of drivers and front passengers in comfort. The rear seats are actually functional, if not capacious, allowing four adults. With the hatchback and folding rear seats, the car can haul reasonable amounts of gear.
The engine, styling, and the interior were redesigned for 2007, and there have been no further changes for 2008.
BMW offers a large range of styling options, with choices not only in upholstery style, material and color, but also in trim panels, accent panels, and ambient lighting. Check too many options and the Mini's price can rise quickly from economy-entry to near-luxury levels. But all Minis are well equipped for what you pay.
The Mini Cooper's heritage dates back to the late 1950s, when it was conceived by the British Motor Corporation in response to the Suez crisis to provide efficient, bare-bones transportation. It was roomy and comfortable. It was cheap to build, cheap to buy, and cheap to run.
But the Mini's fundamental cuteness lent it a sort of chic. Soon it was adopted by celebrities such as Peter Sellers, who drove one on screen as well as off. Like the U.S. Jeep, the Mini survived multiple corporate mergers and disasters; and by the time production finally ended in the 1990s, its pioneering transverse engine (mounted sideways, rather than longways, to save space) had been imitated by most automakers. The Mini was sporty and fun to drive.
Of some 6 million original Minis, the best-known were the high-performance variants tuned by race-car builder John Cooper. Multiple rally and touring-car championships, including overall wins at the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964 and '67, assured the Mini Cooper 's reputation as a small but formidable force in motorsports. BMW now owns the Mini, and revived the marque with an all-new car for the 2000 model year. It was redesigned for 2007.
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