But most importantly to upwardly mobile MINI fans, is the little car that could is now more affordable in Classic trim. So, without any adjustments made to the engine where are the cutbacks? There's nothing lost when it comes to safety or the size of wheels either, or any other driving feature for that matter. The Classic offers standard 4-wheel disc brakes with ventilated discs in the front and solid discs in the rear, as well as 4-channel ABS, and Cornering Brake Control (CBC). It doesn't offer the Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC+T) however.
 |
| The little car that could is now more affordable in Classic trim. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
But in the category of "Passive Safety," the Classic includes all features that both the Cooper and Cooper S boast, including dual airbags, crash sensors, front and rear crumple zones, side thorax airbags for both the driver and front passenger, front and rear advanced head protection system (AHPS), side impact protection door reinforcements, just to name a few from many.
 |
| In order to lower the price, MINI had to cut a few things out of the Classic that are standard on the Cooper. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
The classy Classic sports a set of P175/65R15 all season tires with 15-inch, 7-hole rims. Sixteen-inch rims are offered in the optional "Sport Package," but I found for everyday driving, especially in the rain or the slippery snow-covered roads in Whistler, the 15-inchers were ideal.
So again, where does MINI cut the Classic corners? It doesn't offer the following standard features seen on the Cooper, such as xenon headlights, rear roof spoiler, chrome exterior mirror caps, chrome fuel filler cap, an air inlet on the hood, silver high-gloss trim instrument panel, and a metallic paint finish (only comes with non-metallic paint finish).
