Mini Cooper 2001 test drive - 2006 hatchback

Small from Oxford

The Mini Cooper S born again after almost 40 years will be available to Russian fans of the legendary brand

Fans of the speed and style of the British, and after them the Germans write the name of this car only in capital letters Mini. We will also provide a tribute to Mark, which for many millions of people in many countries meant something much more than just the name of a popular machine. Back in the 60s, it became a symbol of democracy and social changes. Everyone loved her: professors and students, young families and pensioners, starting businessmen and managers, rock musicians and artists. For several decades, models such as Mini, in the entire history of the automotive industry, can be counted on the fingers. There were few countries in the world in which they did not know about Mini. One of them is the USSR. Where a humpbacked Zaporozhets and Muscovite were considered a luxury, people lived by other standards. It is funny that now that Mini can be purchased in Russia at a price about ten times higher than the cost of the People’s Oka, this small car is doomed to become a means of movement for the elect, for true connoisseurs. However, now this is not the car that forty years ago.

First of all, I remind you: there is Mini One, Mini Cooper and the top version of the Mini Cooper S. The latter will be discussed, since it was her journalists who were invited to test in the vicinity of Lisbon.

Of course, I can’t wait to share my impressions of driving in this unique car. But still makes sense to take a closer look at him. However, the exterior should not be described, but undead with a look, he is worthy. It seems to me that there are enough photos that the reader can make his own opinion about the car. I will limit myself to only some remarks. In general, Cooper S retained the pristine features, its belonging to the old brand is obvious, but it looks quite modern. Without any pretentiousness, in English, he at the same time convinces of his exclusivity at the same time. The air intake on a rounded and raised by 40 mm compared to the usual Mini hood, painted with bumpers and radiator grate, chrome -plated exhaust systems, side lattices and other details, finally red liter S, located on the sides and back. And the profile? Pay attention to the ultra -short overhangs indicating an elongated wheelbase and an expanded track. No, this is not a simple machine under a white or black (only) roof ending with a small spoiler.

The impression of belonging to a special castor of cars is intensified, it is worth opening one of two doors. It is impossible not to pay attention to the original aluminum decoration of the door from the inside and to a stylish threshold with the inscription Cooper S. And it is worth sitting in a sports seat and looking around, as doubts in the remarkable potential (and appropriate cost) of this compact car are disappeared. There are no inexpensive or thoroughly unreasonable details. The skin, fabric or plastic of the highest quality, steel (pedals, emphasis under the left leg, switches), aluminum (edging of dials, arcs of the central console) are ideally polished and do not sparkle only because they should not distract the driver. Right before the eyes, on the steering column, a large tachometer with a semicircle of indicators, on the left, in the middle of the torpedo under an elegant visor is a huge speedometer with the same indicators. It is curious that in modifications with the navigation system, a slightly smaller diameter, is also taken to the steering column, which inexplicably does not interfere with the monitoring of the road. The column itself is adjusted vertically.

Under the speedometer, the ICE audio control unit with six speakers, a six discs for six discs (located in the luggage compartment) and with a pretty decent sound. Melomanians can order Harman/Kardon. Even below the climate control unit, which is usually not installed in small -class machines. And under it, the line of tolerance to the switches, heads by many functions from opening the glasses to disconnecting electronic systems that prevent slipping and the absorption of the car.

Since I am not a small person, work colleagues expressed certain fears, they say whether it would be convenient for me in such a small machine. So, it was very convenient for me. Moreover, I was not too lazy to climb into the back seat (with an armrest!), Clicking on the lever on the left in the front seat and forcing him to tilt his back and drive forward. There is enough space above your head. But the legs are cramped, but the fragile person or child will be quite convenient from behind. So I got a job in the driver's seat, launched the engine and pressed the accelerator pedal a couple of times, immediately noting the pleasant melody of the engine. However, I fully felt how delightful this melody was only on the road.

What does the letter S mean

It is unnecessary to say that in the narrow streets and in the city bustle, a small car is at ease. This is the element of all mini. But not Cooper S. All his behavior initially speaks that he needs something completely different. Because the 1.6-liter engine begins to live only when the tachometer arrow is selected by 3000 revolutions per minute, and even better crosses this mark. Therefore, when starting or moving in traffic jams, you have to twist the motor all the time.

But finally we get out on a wide highway. Will the fellow traveler also fasten? Well then ahead! The second, third, fourth, fifth ... A 6-speed mechanical gearbox with a short lever and close gears clicks. The arrow of the tachometer ranges between 4000 and 6500 revolutions, from time to time, getting to the red zone starting about 7000. And the motor loves it, and only now he really sang with two chrome pipes, and in two votes with the compressor. What to compare this sound with? There is something in it, reminiscent of the howl of an flying aircraft and at the same time a deep rumble of ocean waves, if they beat coastal rocks with an unthinkable frequency. In general, he fascinates and forces to pay tribute to the speakers, pretty hard to work on a special melody for Cooper S. By the way, this sound is very well heard by others, whose views I managed to catch from time to time.

Meanwhile, we have already overtook everyone. And they realized what they mean 163 hp. For a machine weighing 1140 kg. The speedometer shows that the speed is more than 200 km/h, and ... has become boring. Eka Nonvidal to rush along the highway, albeit on a small car. No, Cooper S is worthy of something more. And the police may not doze. Therefore, I reduce speed and take it to the right, especially since the colleague-player warns of a quick turn.

But still, you need to warn in advance, and not in a couple of tens of meters, when the speed is more than a hundred. Will we take a chance? Short braking, then the steering wheel sharply to the right and gas. The car barely wilted, blinking the inclusion of the DSC dynamic stabilization system (installed on order), but fit into a conceived turn. Bravo!

But three times bravo! I mentally exclaimed only after I drove along a winding mountain road. This is where the true rapture is, that's where the true element of the Mini Cooper S! He know what Alec Issigonis was conceived with John Cooper, when the letter S was entered into the name of the car, but it can mean both the symbol of sports and the symbol of the serpentine. Both on the full basis. The car is capable of passing turns at incredible speed, as if sticking to the asphalt. Even with the DSC disconnected, it is not a fact that electronics is more afraid of the driver. Moreover, the drifts are easy to predict, and it is not difficult to catch a small front -wheel drive car. Probably, you can find fault with insufficient rotation, but perhaps I will not do this.

What does he remind me of? Well, of course, cards. The same rigidity, the same acute steering. Here at least a short explanation of a technical nature should be given. First of all, Cooper S has several suspension options. I drove mainly by car equipped with Sports Plus suspension. It is ideal for active driving if you want to achieve a greater portion of adrenaline and wet shirt after the next serpentine is what you need. However, such a suspension will hardly be convenient in Russia. The roads in Portugal are not an example of ours, but there was a site where I flew into a small pothole, feeling a good blow: the suspension was struck, it has a very short move. By the way, the rear axle has a multi -leaf design unique for cars of this class, which also contributes to stability in corners.

The steering is rheck, with an electro -hydraulic amplifier. Only two and a half turning are required to turn the steering wheel from one extreme position to another. Thanks to this, Cooper S sensitively reacts to the slightest movement of the steering wheel, and the driver better predicts his behavior. Swift riding is also facilitated by 16-inch wheels on alloy discs with safe 195/55 tires. Under the order you can install 17-inch wheels with the same safe tires 205/45. Why safe? Because they are not afraid of punctures, and the machine is equipped in addition to the air leak indicator. Even if the tire thickened from the sides is completely lowered, the car will move at a speed of up to 80 km/h more than one and a half hundred kilometers. At the same time, the designers argue that all electronic systems will work regularly. There was nothing like this on cars of this class before.

Praises deserve brakes. They are disk, and the front are ventilated. In addition, in addition to the ABS in standard configuration, they are equipped with an electronic distribution system of brake efforts EBD and a control system for braking at the coroners. I will not describe in detail the principle of action of the latter, I will only say that it acts very efficiently and, most importantly, does not interfere.

Since we are talking about electronics, it is worth mentioning the anti -circus system with the AST+T traction regulator. On a wet road, I realized that this is a useful thing, as it is probably useful in snow or ice. However, it can be turned off. In addition to electronic systems, safety is provided by a hard body and standard pillows, which are four in the basic configuration two front and two side.

About some parameters and prospects

Despite the modest dimensions, the Mini Cooper S is capable of transporting up to 430 kg, the luggage compartment capacity is 150 liters, and with the folded rear seats as many as 670. So there will be no problems even with large luggles.

The advantages of the machine include operating expenses. It is able to consume gasoline with an octane number from 91 to 98. The first maintenance will need to be held at a run of 16-20 thousand kilometers, depending on how actively the car is used. The next then every 25-30 thousand km. The spark plugs, for example, are designed for a mileage of 90 thousand km.

Cooper S is going to only one Mini factory in Oxford. This year, it is planned to produce a total of 100 thousand cars of different modifications here. The first products of this enterprise will appear in Russia in mid -May, when the official presentation of Mini One and Mini Cooper is outlined. Cooper S will enter our market later, in September.

And now about sad. It will cost a car under Litera S in Russia about $ 27,500. A lot, let's say, directly. But, I think, buyers will still be found. These are people who are ready to pay not so much for prestige as for speed, maneuverability and style. In general, for the fact that the British are especially appreciated ...

Oleg Osipov
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 6 (9), 2002]