unit has a dash camera,
but it’s newly installed
and hasn’t been properly
tested yet. It’s a P50,000
option. Wow.
Moving on to the highlight
of this model, I’m told there’s a two-
inch increase in rear legroom. It actually
feels more than that. I sit in the back
with the driver seat configured for my
position, and my knees just graze the
backrest. For a tall guy like me, it’s quite
an improvement over the cramped
three-door hatch. There’s a 30 %
increase in trunk space, and a lot more
stuff can be swallowed with the 60/40
split-folding rear seats down. This Mini
is a practical hatch now. No wonder
sales in the US have gone up by 48 %;
how much of that is down to this model
is difficult to say. But you get the point.
As to how the Cooper S goes, it’s
a frisky little thing. Low to midrange
torque is good, with the turbo kicking
in almost instantaneously. Applying
the throttle smoothly is the best way to
control the car, because being aggressive
makes the front end more skittish than
you’d like it to be. Get everything right,
though, and the handling is fantastic.
Steering is nicely weighted and
precise, and the six-speed
automatic gearbox is quick
and aggressive.
I bring the car to ‘Tanay-
burgring’ in Rizal, and it feels
right at home. Sport mode with
the gearbox also in Sport brings
out the beast in this Mini. Tackling
the corners feels natural, and it keeps its
side of the bargain when it comes to the
“maximum go-kart feel” description.
This five-door S is as agile as the three-
door.
I’m back in Normal mode for city
driving, and the car offers the right
amount of fun. I place it in Green mode
for a moment to get the best fuel-
consumption return, which is about
the SPeCS
Price:
P2,800,000engine:
2.0-liter SOHC I4Power:
192 hp @ 4,700-6,000rpm
torque:280Nm @ 1,250-
4,750rpmtransmission:
6-speed automaticLayout/seating:
FWD/5thirSt Meter
the VerDiCt
The folks at Mini
were surely going tocome up with a
5-door hatchback.It would be strange if
they didn’t.18 20
GeArBOX
13 km/L in mixed conditions. You’d want
to at least keep it in Normal mode to feel
the car’s energetic character; return is
decent hovering around 10 km/L.
It would be nice to compare this
five-door hatch with the new Clubman,
but based on photos I’ve seen so far, the
upcoming model looks to have grown in
size, too. I wonder why Mini didn’t come
up with this five-door hatch sooner. The
added functionality on top of the peppy
performance is appealing. There are
purists who certainly don’t approve, but
the two extra doors and the larger trunk
make a hell of a difference.
RIVAL
THE
Mercedes-Benz
A250 Sport
Merc’s hot hatch is spunky,
but the ride is far less
forgiving.The right thickness and size,
along with chunky thumb rests,
make it nice to hold.
Gauge cluster reflects the playful
character of the brand. It’s inviting
to look at.
Functions a la BMW are intuitive.
Pictured here is a power and
torque meter.
The circular theme and the mood
lighting option make the interior
far from boring.
Nicely bolstered and provide
good support. Brown fabric/off-
white leather combo is distinct.
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