BMW maxes the MINI

UNMISTAKABLY MINI Cooper: the famous bulldog stance. photos by Aida Sevilla-Mendoza

AT THE rear, bigger taillights and twin exhausts below center

During the years after BMW relaunched the MINI Cooper brand in 2001, some 2.4 million units were sold worldwide. For the third or 2014 iteration of the MINI Cooper, BMW was faced with the challenge of growing it into a more refined, roomier, more comfortable and safer hatchback without sacrificing its driving responsiveness, funky individualism and go-kart handling.

Result: BMW has maxed the 2014 MINI, codenamed the F56, by growing its wheelbase from 97.1 inches in 2013 to 98.2 inches and overall length from 146.8 inches to 151.2 inches. Width grew by 1.7 inches.  The longer front overhang complies with new pedestrian safety legislation and the bigger size increased rear space with 2.9 inches added to legroom and 3.1 inches to shoulder room. Luggage room has expanded by 51 liters to 211 liters and when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded, capacity theoretically increases to 700 liters.

But it isn’t only in interior space that BMW has upgraded the 2014 MINI, which is all-new from the ground up. BMW dropped into the engine bay of the Cooper S an entirely new, brawny yet smooth 2.0 liter 4-cylinder petrol engine featuring twin scroll power turbocharging, direct fuel injection, variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust side (double VANOS) and Valvetronic, BMW’s patented fully variable valve control. The chassis is new, using BMW’s global front wheel drive platform that will underpin the front drive BMW 2 Series and other future BMW and MINI vehicles.

LUGGAGE space increases to over 700 liters when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded.

COOPER S. The transversely mounted engine still sits over the axle to retain its go-kart qualities. This positioning, plus front wheel drive, the low center of gravity, short overhangs, wide track and a rigid yet intelligent lightweight construction comprise the MINI formula for go-kart handling. The MINI Cooper S delivers max output of 192 hp between 4,700 and 6,000 rpm, plus peak torque of 280 Newton meters from 1,250 to 4,750 rpm.

Although BMW claims peak torque arrives at 1,250 rpm, the new engine does its best at 2,500 rpm.  An overboost mode can increase torque to 300 Nm in short spurts. There is plenty of torque across the rev range, the torque curve is flat and predictable with almost no lag. While the Cooper S slingshots from zero to 100 kph in just 6.7 seconds and its top speed is 233 kph, its claimed average fuel consumption is only 5.5 liters per 100 kph. An automatic engine start/stop function prevents unnecessary fuel consumption while idling at intersections or in heavy traffic. A low drag coefficient of 0.31 also helps.

The gearbox has an updated six-speed Sports automatic transmission (A/T) with paddle shifters (for single use only, one paddle to shift up, one to shift down) mounted on the steering column. Quick and accurate, the A/T has three driving modes: Green for fuel economy during urban driving, Mid for well-balanced comfort, and Sport for the sharpest throttle response. In Sport mode and with the use of the right paddle, the A/T rapidly upshifts, accompanied by pleasing throaty sounds from the twin central exhausts.  Tug the left paddle to fire off downshifts easily and confidently. The driving mode influences the ambient lighting, the displays in the LED center instrument (as big as a dinner plate), the A/T’s shift characteristics, the characteristic curve of the accelerator and steering and engine acoustics and the Dynamic Damper Control configuration.

IN THE cockpit, a bigger instrument cluster, bigger aircon vents now dual zone.

SPORT MODE. The steering of the Cooper S is suitably hefty, especially in Sport mode and offers a directness and hyper-reactive responsiveness that few cars in this segment can match.  Servotronic (electro-mechanical power steering) was recalibrated to further reduce torque steer.  An all-new front axle with steel supports and wishbones, revised aluminum swivel bearings up front and more high-strength steel in the rear axle upgrade the MINI’s muscle.

Despite the stretching by an inch of the front and rear track, the F56 is not as planted through corners like past generations and body roll is noticeable. Partly responsible is the overly weighted helm.  But this is compensated by excellent feedback given by the new sport seats which provide a sense of grip levels and the weight balance through the seat of the pants.  The height-adjustable sport seats are comfortable while visibility from the massive front and side glass is excellent.

The 2014 MINI delivers composed, refined highway cruising with engine, road, wind and tire noise well subdued. The suspension is firm and jiggles a bit, but it shudders less when the car hits a pothole. The MINI feels more stable on uneven stretches of road and its road presence feels more substantial. The disc brakes fore and aft work well and the brake pedal is easy to modulate and never felt like fading.

THE ALL-NEW 2.0-liter, 4 cylinder twin scroll turbocharged engine of the MINI S packs 192 hp and 280 Nm peak torque.

ENHANCE. The front grille of the new MINI is a bit bigger and more upright compared to the preceding model while oversized LED headlamps, LED daylight running lights, round LED fog lights, racing stripes on the hood, chromed air intake, black roof support pillars, center exhaust exits and 17-inch Tentacle spoke silver alloy wheels enhance the famous bulldog stance.

Inside are Performance Control and improved quality materials with chromed toggle switches (except the Engine Start/ Stop toggle, which is lit up bright red), leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, black checkered interior surfaces, automatic climate control, white turn indicators, rain sensors, cloth/leather combination Diamond, velour floor mats, the MINI Excitement Package, MINI Connected (like BMW’s iDrive) and Radio MINI Visual Boost.

Summing up, the 2014 MINI Cooper has not only grown bigger, it has grown up and matured into a more sophisticated, more spacious, higher quality MINI, nicely balancing driving thrills with comfort/ refinement to please both car enthusiasts and the general buying public. At P2,700,000. the 2014 MINI Cooper S still is a funky and fun hatch at heart with a personality and performance to match, but now it can also serve as a first-class commuter.

SIDE view shows classic short overhangs, black roof support pillars.

LEGROOM and shoulder room increased significantly in the back.