Sport mode activated, the exhaust burbling and popping away on the overrun and a long right-hand turn stretching past the horizon. At 4 000 r/min in third, I decide to floor it and hold on. The engine responds with enthusiasm and the G-force starts building. The heavy steering provides excellent feedback and I can sense that the limit of adhesion must be close. Do I lift my foot off the accelerator and risk a lift-off oversteer moment or gamble on the corner straightening in time? I keep my foot planted and the Mini John Cooper Works Coupé’s 205/45 R17 Dunlop tyres just bite harder into the tar. The corner starts opening and a smile of elation and relief starts spreading across my face as I hook fourth and aim the nose down the deserted straight….
The concept
Let’s take step back. In essence a two-door sports coupé is an impractical, irrational form of self-indulgence only accessible to affluent singletons. Even to a married man without kids, such a vehicle is normally completely out of bounds. Last weekend, however, was different as my family was away and I took the opportunity to swap long-termer keys with CAR associate editor Gareth Dean. He gave me the “evil eye” and mentioned something about his average fuel consumption record (around 8,0 L/100 km) before I walked out the office…
The styling
Walking up to the vehicle one cannot deny that is an eye-catching design, especially with the Pepper White body, Chilli Red roof and Red Sport stripes adding to the spice. The roof line is much lower than that of the hatch and slopes toward the rear in true coupé fashion. Rolling on 17-inch wheels in a multi-spoke design it is a little car that demands respect and seeks attention. This was confirmed when I returned from the shops it garnered plenty of attention from curious bystanders, especially of the female variety!
Inside the funky Mini design continues, with the large speedo taking centre stage. Two dark, hugging leather/Alcantara racing seats fill the cabin and red inserts in the door panels lift the otherwise dark ambiance. The look and layout of the trendy switchgear is similar to the rest of the existing range. Our model is fitted with the optional Mini Connected system (internet connectivity) with navigation, park distance control and a quality Harman Kardon sound system.
The powertrain
The JCW-fettled 1,6-litre turbopetrol engine delivers 155 kW and 280 N.m. Although not stratospheric compared with some of the hot hatches of today, its claimed zero to 100 km/h time of 6,4 seconds points to the low vehicle mass. It delivers the power to the front wheels via a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox with the omission of a limited slip differential.
How is it to drive?
The cabin feels quite snug but there is actually enough space for my lengthy frame (1,96 m) to get comfortable as there is no second row of seats and, consequently, quite a useable boot. The seating position is suitably sporty, being even lower than that of the hatch and the rake and reach-adjustable steering wheel falls easily to hand. The little engine awakes eagerly when the start button is pressed and settles into an impatient idle.
Driving the car is a cinch as the clutch and gearshift action is light. The Mini’s compact dimensions make it easy to place on the road and there is always enough torque to make good progress, even at lower engine speeds. The suspension is quite firm but the biggest problem is that it has little travel. This is great for rounding bends at speed but uncomfortable for traversing bad road surfaces.
The steering is heavy with good feel and it’s clear this isn’t a car in which to potter – it needs to be spanked. Once the sport button is pressed to sharpen the throttle and induce the pops and burbles in the exhaust, it’s game over for that average fuel consumption figure, sorry Gareth!
Summary
R388 412 is a lot of money to pay for a toy, but thinking of it as a cheaper alternative to a Porsche Boxster takes the edge off a little. Yes, I know it is front engined, front wheel drive with much less power, but from behind the wheel, the fun factor is almost the same. You can commute with this car but it will be doing it an injustice. Wait for that crisp weekend morning, search for a perfect stretch of deserted, winding road and you’ll come as close to motoring Nirvana as is possible in a car costing less than half a bar.
FAST FACTS
Model: Mini John Cooper Works Coupé
Price: R388 412
Engine: 1,6-litre, four-cylinder petrol, turbocharged
Power: 155 kW at 6 000 r/min
Torque: 280 N.m at 2 000 r/min
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-100 km/h: 6,4 seconds
Top speed: 240 km/h
Fuel consumption: 8,4 L/100 km
CO2: 163 g/km