"However, it’s on the road, that the (F56) improvements really come to the fore. High speed refinement and composure are astounding for a car of this sector and price – it cruises on motorways pretty much like an executive car, while in its long-striding sixth gear, thanks to its muscular 2.0-litre Twin Power engine, revs are kept low, but torque is ample for quick acceleration.

On the twisty stuff, steering response is even sharper than before and, in Sport mode, where it weighs up a little more, the active damping’s set-up to give the car less roll in bends. Again, it feels most impressive when cracking on, and this is very much in line with the outgoing Cooper S’s set-up and feel.

Where, then, do all these improvements leave me feeling? That’s an interesting question, and one that will need more examination. It’s clear that the new car is even more remote from the Minis we all grew up with years ago. It’s now very much a grown-up and mature product, honed for its market, and so much better than rivals such as the Audi A1, that it’s not even worth mentioning them in the same sentence. ‘Ruthlessly competent’ is a phrase I kept saying myself as I drove the Cooper S on this beautiful island.

Despite what many will say, it also remains a small car in its market – think Alfa Romeo MiTo or Audi A1 as its principal rivals, not the Fiat 500, and you’ll see where it really sits in today’s market. And, yes, that ruthless competence and ability may rob it of some of its cheeky charm, so abundant in older cars wearing the MINI (and Mini!) badge. So it might not be Mini in the sense that some of the old guard might attest but, in the context of today’s market, this one’s is bang on, and will continue to bolster the Cowley success story."
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Blog : New MINI, too big for its boots? - AROnline

 

Excellent comments. I'm new to the MINI world (ordered my 2014 MINI S Hardtop on 2/12/14, but I'm feeling that I am very fortunate that I waited this long to buy one.

 

"So it might not be Mini in the sense that some of the old guard might attest": You mean all the wind noise on the freeway, or the squeeks in the back when you hit little bumps, or just the teeth rattling ride with the runflats? That's the "cheeky charm" right? LOL.

 

The new F56 is amazing - I drove it against the competition today on a closed time attack style track. Side by side it looks bigger than the R56 but inside the ride feels the same if not better... I have/had a 1st Gen S R53, 2nd Gen S R56, 2nd Gen JCW R58. The F56 S feels faster than my Works and the new Cooper is insane - it feels faster than the outgoing R56 S.

Just my two cents.

Ps.

Drove the S against GTI and FR-S. And the Cooper against the Golf and Prius C(lol)

 

How was it? The GTI seems to be a well rounded car although noticeably heavier... and the FR-S' rear wheel drive handling but yet slightly under powered.

 

All the cars had there merits but the F56 S is faster and is so predictable in the corners it almost drives itself. The surprise tho is the 1.3L 3cylinder - it was a blast to drive. It's quiet, powerful and the fuel economy is great. No drone at highway speeds - no sowing machine noises. The automatic transmission is very quick and smooth. The manual is good as well. The new shift ***** on both are very ergonomic.

The new exhaust pop and burble sounds soooo good!

The GTI is quick but her booty tends to hop in the corners. As far as regular driving goes the GTI has super invasive traction control.

The FR-S is fun! The center of gravity is super low and handles great. However the MINI is faster in every way. The FR-S tho you can slide around the corners!

 

OP ...

Thanks for the excellent review.




T.

 

Ditto! Thanks for the latest review.

 

Yes thanks a lot. I am going to drive the new Cooper before I decide. Sounds excellent.

 

So did you drive a base F56 or an F56 S? Just wondering because your first line says "S" yet you mention the 1.3L which only comes in the base...

 

Very cool! Thank you!!!

 

Other MAs from California have posted they drove the base Cooper with manual and the Cooper S with the AT. The automobile reviewers who drove them in Puerto Rico drove the same.

 

Drove both "s" and base cooper -