We review the Mini Coupé from price to economy and all its features
THE king of small is still the ultimate cool.
You know a car brand is hot when it features in the video of two of the biggest music acts right now.
One Direction’s new release Gotta Be You and Labrinth/Tinie Tempah’s Earthquake both use a Mini in their vids.
Hottest ever ... Mini's amazing success story rolls on with the sexiest version yet
The Earthquake star is simply the greatest small car on earth.
It’s now 52 years since the original was launched in 1959 and it has, like Cliff Richard, been a success in every decade.
The Mini has seen it all with famous owners and cameos in films — The Italian Job and The Beatles in the 60s, Marc Bolan and T-Rex in the 70s, Tom Hanks in the 80s, Noel Gallagher in the 90s and Wayne Rooney in the Noughties.
Add in other A-listers like Steve McQueen, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Brigitte Bardot, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Nikki Lauda and even Enzo Ferrari, and it’s easy to understand that the Mini is more than a car, it’s an icon.
The original Mini sold 5.3million in 40 years — the current Mini is at 2m after a quarter of that time.
It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since the first BMW Mini hit the road.
But now we’ve driven the sexiest Mini ever built — the Coupé John Cooper Works.
The Coupé is the fifth bodystyle, with roadster also on the way to make it six in 2012.
The new Coupé has finally arrived — and we’ve had a first UK drive of the fastest and funkiest version — the 211bhp 1.6litre JCW.
It certainly looks the part. The round headlamps and bonnet-mounted airscoop have been taken from the hatch, but there are significant changes everywhere else.
The Coupé is just a two-seater with a steep windscreen that joins a swooping roofline into a stubby back-end like a cute puppy.
At the rear there are spoilers which pop up automatically and add drama once you hit 40mph.
At speed, this will add up to 40kg of downforce to the rear axle, improving stability and handling.
To underline this car’s sporting credentials, the JCW gets a dramatic stripy paintjob (in red or black and white) and stunning black 17in alloy wheels. Under the skin, there’s stiff sports suspension and a bespoke chassis that’s far more driver-focused than the one that’s offered on the standard hatchback.
The interior is equally eye-catching, in the usual quirky Mini mix of retro and modern. The large circular screen remains, along with the toggle switches — but added in are JCW badges and leather with red trim piping.
For those who moan about the lack of back seat space in a Mini, it’s not a problem in the Coupé because it only has two seats. The good news is boot space has been increased to a useful 280 litres — 20 litres larger than the Mini Clubman — and it’s accessible from the cabin via a ski hatch.
Push the ignition starter button and the Coupé’s 1.6litre turbocharged engine bursts into life.
When stationary it’s pretty quiet but it soons lives up to its livery with huge grumble on acceleration, yet with pin-sharp handling.
For me, it’s the most natural Mini yet, because it drives with an extra dose of the traditional karting fun that makes it different to any other small car.
Its cornering ability and levels of grip are exceptional, even by Mini standards, while the rapid 1.6litre twin turbo petrol engine in this John Cooper Works version is the perfect match.
In typical Mini style it’s an involving and exciting drive, with smooth, punchy delivery of power and 0-62mph in just 6.4 seconds — all the way to 150mph.
On bumpy roads, it becomes even more go-kart-like to handle, but it’s not uncomfortable.
The Coupé also gets Mini’s start/stop system that automatically cuts the engine in heavy city traffic, which helps reduce emissions to just 165g/km in the JCW version and delivers almost 40mpg.
But this JCW is all about fun, not fuel efficiency. It costs a whopping £23,795 but this is the ultimate Mini.
Designer Gert Hildegard’s inspiration for the unique roofline was his son’s baseball cap worn back to front.
In truth it’s much cooler than that. The world has now been doffing its cap to Mini for 52 years.