The votes have been tabulated‹at least the important one‹and I am declaring
the Mini Cooper as the car of the year. And with the souped-up Cooper S
version, things are even better. The Mini Cooper grabs top spot with
outstanding performance, lots of technology, as well as a very attractive
design. With a load of standard and optional features, it offers unique
luxury content in the small car segment.

The Mini has been gathering kudos ranging from the New York Times to auto
industry pubs. It¹s grabbed and held my attention as well. When I first
heard that BMW was reviving the Mini, I was surprised. I vaguely recalled
the car when it had a brief run in the US. The announcement invoked memories
of Mini¹s racing record in the 1960s and how the boxy pint-sized Mini
dazzled the world with a victory in the Monte Carlo Rally.

I love automobiles and I also am deeply committed to the environment, a
dualistic attitude I probably inherited from my parents. I am increasingly
disturbed by the fact that vehicles are getting bigger and thirstier. On
this basis, the Mini is doubly satisfying. It uses resources so sparingly,
yet provides the driving thrills of a gas-guzzling muscle car.

The $3,000 difference between the two models buys other extras as well.
Exterior upgrades include a hood air scoop, body-colored front and rear
bumpers, rear spoiler and twin chrome tailpipes, side grilles with the ³S²
logo and a chrome-plated fuel tank filler flap. The S also gets hefty
16-inch wheels and aggressive tires. The interior sports a few enhancements
including special seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob.
Of course there is a huge options list that ranges from special wheels and
tires to a navigation system.

The main distinction between the Mini Cooper and the Cooper S is under the
hood. A supercharger boosts the S model to 163 horsepower. The result is a
scamper from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than seven seconds and a top
speed of 136 miles per hour. A beefy six-speed manual transmission is
standard equipment.

But raw power is not the Mini¹s main attraction. I¹d rate its key assets in
this order: responsive handling, versatility and design.

The Mini marketing types insist that the little car offers Go-Kart handling.
And to prove this point at the official launch of the Cooper S in southern
California, the company rented a herd of go-carts as the benchmark on a
slalom course. Yes, the Mini fared well in the test and was a whole lot more
comfortable minus the noise and exhaust fumes of the go-carts. The bottom
line is that although the ride quality is stiffer than many people will
enjoy, the car is exceptionally agile and is a smart choice for those who
crave to drive the back roads‹and the more challenging the better.
Given the Mini¹s small footprint‹I can do a U-turn in my driveway‹the little
car has a lot of usable space. The seats fold down to reveal a relatively
large cargo area. And thanks to its high profile, the front seat area offers
generous headroom.

There is no doubt that the Mini has scored big with its design. The interior
is well laid out and offers a new design twist with its large speedometer
and tachometer that even a near-blind person could read. The exterior look
is friendly, yet not in any way clownish or insubstantial. The new Mini
takes the original concept and brings it into the Twenty-first Century. With
its wide array of bright colors women seem particularly attracted to the
Mini. I recently was told by a English gentleman that if one wanted to score
style points with a sophisticated Parisian lady in the 1960s, the Mini was
the vehicle of choice. Even better than the incredibly beautiful Jaguar
E-Type, he said. The new Mini may be on its way to developing the same
cachet in the US. 

The Mini should satisfy the needs of a wide spectrum of buyers. Its
practicality will serve the younger set that needs a vehicle that can carry
a lot of stuff. On the other hand, the back seat is a little tight for
full-sized adults. I also have some reservations about the Mini¹s stiff ride
on a long trip. As a commute car, it is loads of fun and the Mini¹s
performance makes it an obvious choice for exploring the back roads in the
mountains or countryside.

Vehicle: Mini Cooper S
Price as tested: $19,850
Engine:
    Type: Supercharged 1.6-liter inline 4
    Horsepower: 163 @ 6,000 rpm
    Torque: 155 ft. lbs. @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel economy, manual transmission
    City - 24 mpg
    Highway - 33 mpg
Curb Weight: 2,678 lbs.