The big news this year at Paramount Canada's Wonderland is a new ride called The Italian Job: Stunt Track. Riders board their very own MINI Cooper S custom stunt car and begin their simulated chase sequence through a parking garage, dodge near-collisions, race down stairs, chase through tunnels and narrowly escape massive explosions triggered by gunfire from a menacing helicopter--just like on the big screen.
According to a Canada's Wonderland spokesperson, "It's an interactive thrill ride designed for everyone that craves high-speed, hair-raising excitement."
He was probably pimping his new rollercoaster, but he may very well have been describing the real-life MINI Cooper S.
The big news for real world MINI fans for 2005 is the new Convertible model, but there are more subtle upgrades to the whole lineup. Being on the market now for a little over three years, BMW wanted to address some quality concerns and the whiners who think the Cooper S lacks straightline performance. Hence, upgrades to the exterior, interior, and powertrains have been wrought upon this driving icon for 2005.
Externally, the first thing noticed on my 2005 MINI Cooper S test car--beyond the new purple, Porsche-eating exterior colour--were the updated headlight units, looking ready to fire off a round at the nearest available Acura RSX. The new front reflectors' shape and design have been reengineered to offer better illumination from the Xenon bulbs. MINI-spotters will also notice the rear taillights have been tweaked, getting bigger and incorporating the reverse lights, and the revised front and rear bumper valances.
Upgrades inside all 2005 MINIs include new LED lights in the door handles and near the rear view mirror. My car also came with the thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, which was available late in 2004--a big improvement over the original two-spoker. The wheel was fitted with the four-position toggle controls for both the audio system and cruise control mounted on the spokes that comes standard with the Premium Package ($1,950) that also includes a twin glass sunroof, and heated front seats. Also along was the newly optional Cockpit Chrono Pack ($450) that puts the speedo where it should have been in the first place: right in front of the driver. Filling the big circular hole left in the dash's center are four gauges, including oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature and fuel level.
Minor details? Maybe. Buy all are in support of increasing the driver-focused nature of the MINI's cockpit.
Also new for 2005, in both the Cooper S tin top and Cooper S Convertible, is a six-speed automatic transmission ($1,290) that includes Steptronic mode and shifting paddles on the steering wheel. Unlike the MINI Cooper Continuously Variable Transmission, this new automatic has fixed gear ratios.
The MINI has never been subjugated to the Lord of Torque Steer, but the Cooper S can now be optioned with a new limited slip differential ($650); a desirable feature my car happened to not have. This is a torque-sensitive differential that manages torque output under acceleration and offers a 30 per cent slip rate. The system also allows the threshold for Dynamic Stability Control ($690) to be increased without conspiring against the system taking over in slippery situations. Keep in mind that the new LSD ($650) is only available with the 6-speed manual transmission.
According to a Canada's Wonderland spokesperson, "It's an interactive thrill ride designed for everyone that craves high-speed, hair-raising excitement."
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| He may very well have been describing the real-life MINI Cooper S. (photo: John LeBlanc,straight-six.com) |
The big news for real world MINI fans for 2005 is the new Convertible model, but there are more subtle upgrades to the whole lineup. Being on the market now for a little over three years, BMW wanted to address some quality concerns and the whiners who think the Cooper S lacks straightline performance. Hence, upgrades to the exterior, interior, and powertrains have been wrought upon this driving icon for 2005.
Externally, the first thing noticed on my 2005 MINI Cooper S test car--beyond the new purple, Porsche-eating exterior colour--were the updated headlight units, looking ready to fire off a round at the nearest available Acura RSX. The new front reflectors' shape and design have been reengineered to offer better illumination from the Xenon bulbs. MINI-spotters will also notice the rear taillights have been tweaked, getting bigger and incorporating the reverse lights, and the revised front and rear bumper valances.
 |
| My car also came with the thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. (photo: John LeBlanc, straight-six.com) |
Minor details? Maybe. Buy all are in support of increasing the driver-focused nature of the MINI's cockpit.
Also new for 2005, in both the Cooper S tin top and Cooper S Convertible, is a six-speed automatic transmission ($1,290) that includes Steptronic mode and shifting paddles on the steering wheel. Unlike the MINI Cooper Continuously Variable Transmission, this new automatic has fixed gear ratios.
The MINI has never been subjugated to the Lord of Torque Steer, but the Cooper S can now be optioned with a new limited slip differential ($650); a desirable feature my car happened to not have. This is a torque-sensitive differential that manages torque output under acceleration and offers a 30 per cent slip rate. The system also allows the threshold for Dynamic Stability Control ($690) to be increased without conspiring against the system taking over in slippery situations. Keep in mind that the new LSD ($650) is only available with the 6-speed manual transmission.