In base form, Cooper acceleration is adequate but not inspiring. Look for 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) times of only 9.2 seconds. However, in Cooper S dress that duration is abbreviated to 7.4 seconds and a sprightly 6.7 when the Works package is added.
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| MINI Coopers are a blast to drive, they turn like go-karts but stop like sports cars. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
But in any form, MINI Coopers are a blast to drive. They turn like the go-karts that I built out of plywood and 2X4's in the 60's with my friends, albeit executing corners in a slightly more sophisticated manner.
Fortunately they don't stop like our go-karts did, or should I say didn't. The disc brakes on all Coopers terminate forward motion a whole lot faster than pressing the sole of my Basket Masters against a lawn-mower wheel wildly spinning at the front of our cart. Yikes.
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| If you missed out on the 'Nothing As Fun As A MINI' event, you can either wait till next year or check out your local dealer. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
MINI hasn't overlooked safety either. As our driving instructor noted, each MINI Cooper provides driver and passenger airbags, as well as optional head airbags running the full length of the cabin to provide protection to those relegated to the rear seats as well as those up front.
The Vancouver 'Nothing As Fun As A MINI' event, held at 688 Cambie Street in downtown Vancouver, wrapped up on Sunday, August 24th.
If you missed this year's event, stay tuned to MINI.ca for the announcement of a 2004 edition or check out the cars a your local dealer. Or you can always rent the Italian Job for a virtual stint behind the wheel!