Size is not an issue when it comes to a MINI.
I had the pleasure of reviewing the MINI Cooper S for four days and boy, am I having ‘mini’ withdrawals. I may not be a grease-monkey but I sure know a good car when I drive one.
I think it’s safe to say that the mini has definitely been an iconic car over the past 50 years. You’ve seen it in one of the most famous British TV series, Mr.Bean. So, reinventing an icon like the MINI was no easy task. On one hand, you have to create a vehicle that exceeds the demands of a modern, 21st century motoring. On the other, you have to stay true to the original MINI, along with a design philosophy that has laid the foundations for over 50 years of success. To meet this twin challenge, the people at MINI took an entirely new approach to create a car with a difference.
Now, don’t let the size fool you, this bad boy definitely packs a punch. Here’s a breakdown of what I thought of the car.
How it looks – exterior wise?
Compared to the previous models, the MINI Cooper S Wired looks a lot cooler! Newly designed headlights and rear lights make the new MINI easy on the eyes. The newly crafted slightly sloping roofline with John Cooper Works rear spoiler design lends the new MINI a sportier feel and an accelerated look, even when idle. Oh and the MINI Cooper S Wired also boasts double exhaust tailpipes.
The interior
Not cheaping out on quality and exclusivity, slide onto the comfortable dark upholstery seats and it’s hard not to be enthralled by the tech-fuelled ambience, epitomised by the revamped dashboard. Gone is the centre speedometer; in its place, the all-new MINI Centre Instrument, hypnotic LED ring glinting and gleaming.
The MINI Navigation System Professional is backed by the massive 8.8-inch MINI Connected Screen. The Voice Control option lets your MINI read things out for you so you can keep up to speed… and keep your eyes on the road. Want something to do with your hands? Scroll through your menus with the new MINI Controller touchpad with handwriting recognition function. Finally, feast your ears on the Harman Kardon audio system available exclusively for the MINI Cooper S Wired; twelve loudspeakers generating 410 watts of sumptuous sonics, combined with advanced technologies that reproduce flawless audio.
Performance
This bad boy packs the new generation MINI TwinPower Turbo technology, using an optimised turbocharged engine, driving never felt this good. The MINI Cooper S Wired provides you with three various Driving Modes.
Feeling earth-friendly? Turn the dial on the shift gate to Greed and your MINI immediately becomes optimised for fuel efficiency, thanks to its fuel-friendly features. Want to tear up the road?
Twist to Sport mode and the LED ring on your MINI Centre Instrument turns into a revolution counter, and your MINI turns into a streak of lighting, complete with a more responsive accelerator pedal and more direct steering.
Cost
The retail price for the new MINI Cooper S Wired is RM 248,888.00.
