Mini’s Cooper S isn’t about express pace, but rather putting a smile on your face. This is what we had to say following our road test!
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As far as catchy car commercials go, Mini has produced some of the best. Case in point: the British brand’s ‘Pure Adrenaline’ tv ad. Released around a decade ago, it aimed to showcase the adrenaline-inducing driving experience provided by the first contemporary (BMW-built) Cooper.
Set in Cape Town, the opening scene depicts a couple having a relaxing day at the beach. However, the commercial soon takes an unexpected turn when the female protagonist is stung by a bee and has a severe allergic reaction to the winged intruder’s sting. In desperate need for a shot of epinephrine (aka adrenaline), her partner rushes her to the hospital in their three-door Cooper. Following some daring driving manoeuvres, they finally arrive at the hospital, doctors and nurses at the ready. However, to everyone’s bewilderment, she is absolutely fine; the Mini’s driving experience proving so adrenaline-inducing that an injection of epinephrine was no longer required.
Mini’s marketing department undoubtedly deserved a raise for coming up with this commercial. However, is the ‘Pure Adrenaline’ tagline still relevant to the fourth-generation Cooper hatch? We tested the three-door S model — while keeping clear of bees — to find out.
The new Cooper S retains a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbopetrol engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Developing 150 kW and 300 N.m of torque, the latter available in a broad 1 450 to 4 500 r/min swathe of the rev band, the Cooper S’s peak outputs haven’t increased by that much when compared to its predecessor’s. However, considering the (slightly larger) F66 generation tipped our scales at 1 177 kg (around 50 kg less than its forebear’s claimed kerb weight), the 9 kW/20 N.m increase is subtly noticeable.
Although we noted a spot of off-the-line hesitancy, the Cooper S sprinted to 100 km/h from standstill in 6.59 seconds on our test strip; just besting Mini’s claim of 6.6 seconds. This figure may not be the last word in straight-line performance, but that’s arguably not what a Mini was made for.
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Since the contemporary Cooper hatch models were revealed in 2001, the term “Go-kart” has been used by Mini to describe the driving characteristics of the new-age iterations. While such marketing parlance should generally be taken with a pinch of salt, in the case of the three-door Cooper S it’s actually a pretty neat summation of its agile driving manners. The steering setup is well balanced, yet pleasingly weighty – relaying plenty of feedback from the front wheels to the driver’s palms – the driving position is spot-on, and the handling pin-sharp. In addition, thanks to new hatch’s low centre of gravity and a 16 mm increase in track width, fore and aft, roadholding is impressive, exhibiting just a touch of manageable understeer during spirited cornering.
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To sharpen things up even more, among the Mini’s selection of driver’s (or ‘Experience’ in Mini speak) settings, there is ‘Go Kart’ mode. Activated via a toggle switch sited below the intuitive OLED infotainment/instrumentation display, this appropriately named driver’s program improves the compact hatch’s overall dynamics, including throttle response.
However, most members of the CAR team were surprised by this model’s lack of paddle shifters, an odd omission in a car so centred on driver involvement. Thankfully, these items have been retained for its hotter, John Cooper Works sibling. In addition, recalling the pops and crackles produced by the twin-exhaust system of the previous Cooper S, which we tested in five-door form in October 2018, the new car’s soundtrack is a perhaps a little too demure.
The test car’s ‘Chili Red II’ body hue and striking ‘Slide Spoke’ alloys did add some sporty panache to its exterior, though. However, bar the optional paintwork and wheels, both of which are also available on the (115 kW/230 N.m) Cooper C, not much seems to visually separate the sportier, S-badged model’s exterior from its C sibling’s. Unlike the previous generation, the new S’s lower front grille doesn’t feature more pronounced air intakes and there are no visible exhaust outlets. Another exterior design choice that divided the team was the new car’s triangular-shaped LED taillamps. However, overall, the three-door’s sleeker frame does cut a dashing figure.
The cabin was universally applauded by the CAR team, though. Mini’s modern interior styling is a masterclass in design. The attention to detail, including the choice of tactile materials used, is impressive and arguably unmatched by other premium-compact hatchbacks. The fit and finish are commendable, too. And thanks to the interior’s solid construction, NVH suppression is good.
Curiously, despite the new model’s increased exterior dimensions, the cabin, bar the front compartment offering slightly more headroom, is less spacious than before. Yet, practicality was never the reason why one would buy a Mini hatch – that’s more the preserve of the Countryman we tested in our September 2024 issue. Although an admirable product, the Countryman just isn’t quite as characterful as the three-door. The key word here is “characterful”. The most compact Cooper is one of the most characterful cars on the road. That’s arguably its biggest selling point. And how niche it’s become seems to add to the three-door’s appeal.
Following its test tenure, the CAR team was unanimous in its praise for the new Cooper S. With the most modern iteration, BMW has done a commendable job of retaining the essence of the three-door Mini, which we believe remains the quintessential Mini.
Considering the S’s traditionally sporty stationing within the line-up, we would, however, have appreciated the fitment of a few sporty elements to add some visual verve to the exterior. The ability to manually operate the dual-clutch ’box and a throatier exhaust note (to match the Cooper S’s otherwise characterful persona) would have also been welcomed.
There’s plenty of fun to be had behind the wheel of the S, but we’d stop just short of considering it an adrenaline-spiking experience. That has been reserved for the hottest member in the Cooper family, the (170 kW/380 N.m) JCW. But that’s not to say the Cooper S won’t leave you grinning from ear to ear following a spirited drive.
However, we’d argue the C derivative might just be the sweet spot in the line-up. This more keenly priced model’s 1.5-litre turbo-triple is a gem of an engine and, though not as powerful, the C will likely be just as fun to drive around town.
Find the full feature in the April 2025 issue of CAR Magazine.
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