2003 Mini - The Original 'Hot-Hatch' is Back
The 2003 Mini Cooper brings back memories of a simpler era, but the tiny car is anything but simple. BMW's 'pet' project is available with 6 airbags, run-flat tires, ABS, EBD, CBC, ASC+T or DSCIII and DBC. BBC 1 and BBC 2 are not included, nor is Mr. Bean.
OK, I'll get serious for a minute. The Mini is a serious product from a very serious German manufacturer. Still, it's hard not to smile. It's just so darn cute, in a mischievous sort of way. It's like that kid next door your mom didn't want you hanging out with. You just knew you were going to get into trouble but the thrills were somehow worth it.
Thrills and trouble come hand in hand with the new Mini. Thrilling is its Velcro-like adhesion while cresting tight, undulating corners and enthusiastic acceleration out of the apex. Thrilling acceleration from a 115-hp 1.6-L 4-cylinder engine? OK, the 5-speed equipped base Mini is hardly neck-snapping, but factor in that Canada's shortest production car weighs just 1,145 kg (2,524 lbs) and its 9.2 seconds to 100 km/h compares well with many more powerful competitors - a slightly slower automatic with manual mode is optional. If quicker 0 - 100 km/h sprints are what you're after, ante up for the 163-hp supercharged Cooper S that completes the feat in 7.4 seconds. The 'S' nears 160 km/h in 4th gear, with two more gears to spare in its 6-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately our closed-circuit test track ran out of road before I could verify its attested 218 km/h top speed. Suffice it to say that the Mini should have no trouble attracting trouble, in the form of traffic cops at least.
The 2003 Mini Cooper brings back memories of a simpler era, but the tiny car is anything but simple. BMW's 'pet' project is available with 6 airbags, run-flat tires, ABS, EBD, CBC, ASC+T or DSCIII and DBC. BBC 1 and BBC 2 are not included, nor is Mr. Bean. OK, I'll get serious for a minute. The Mini is a serious product from a very serious German manufacturer. Still, it's hard not to smile. It's just so darn cute, in a mischievous sort of way. It's like that kid next door your mom didn't want you hanging out with. You just knew you were going to get into trouble but the thrills were somehow worth it.
Thrills and trouble come hand in hand with the new Mini. Thrilling is its Velcro-like adhesion while cresting tight, undulating corners and enthusiastic acceleration out of the apex. Thrilling acceleration from a 115-hp 1.6-L 4-cylinder engine? OK, the 5-speed equipped base Mini is hardly neck-snapping, but factor in that Canada's shortest production car weighs just 1,145 kg (2,524 lbs) and its 9.2 seconds to 100 km/h compares well with many more powerful competitors - a slightly slower automatic with manual mode is optional. If quicker 0 - 100 km/h sprints are what you're after, ante up for the 163-hp supercharged Cooper S that completes the feat in 7.4 seconds. The 'S' nears 160 km/h in 4th gear, with two more gears to spare in its 6-speed manual transmission. Unfortunately our closed-circuit test track ran out of road before I could verify its attested 218 km/h top speed. Suffice it to say that the Mini should have no trouble attracting trouble, in the form of traffic cops at least.