The new Mini proves that we just can't live without this iconic brand. Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor, reports.
There was one question on everyone's lips at the launch of the latest Mini: why? This is a car that has made a mockery of the traditional seven-year life cycle of cars, selling more as it aged. Surely when you have a hit on your hands, you should leave well enough alone.
Yet BMW had the answer: three in fact. First there were the new safety regulations that required the Mini to undergo a revamp in its looks and front face dimensions to pass, in particular, new pedestrian safety rules.
This in turn meant a retooling of the production plant, an expensive job to undertake regardless of the changes. Finally there have been several advances in engine technology since the current generation hit the streets.
The designers must have been sorely tempted to have another go at making a radical statement with the Mini. Thankfully they refrained.
Once again, BMW has opted to leave the DNA of the old car intact, perhaps learning from the ill-fated attempt by VW to update the Beetle with 21st century styling and Golf underpinnings.
Upon initial inspection, the new Mini has changed very little in appearance; only slightly bigger, with a new-look grille and higher set headlights.
Inside there are more noticeable differences, in particular the centrally-located speedometer which has gone from being the size of a decent saucer to a fully-fledged dinner plate.
Not only can all the passengers see what speed you're doing but the driver of the car behind can also get a good look as well.
This enormous clockface now also houses the radio/CD controls at the bottom, though the volume button is further down the central console. It takes a while to get used to the new layout and for most owners the handiest system is the steering wheel controls, which are worth the extra money.
Other changes include new switchgear and the centrally located switches for windows and fog lights are now solid metal rather than plastic. They feel a lot better and longer wearing than the previous ones.
A few extra switches for interior lights and the like have been located on the roof above the rearview mirror. This adds a rally car feel to the cockpit, even though you'll rarely find need to use them. Bootspace remains an issue for the Mini, but it was never designed as a family car, certainly not when Issigonis drew the blueprint for it back in the 1950s.
Yet nobody really buys the Mini for its interior styling. It's all about the drive. For that, the boys and girls at BMW have to be credited with keeping this little premium car the best in its class.
The greatest thrill remains on the road, and in the tight, winding hills of Costa Brava we had the opportunity to put the famous go-kart feel to the test. It passed with flying colours.
Even for someone who spends hours every day behind the wheel of new cars, the Mini adds something special to the mix. It has the ability to provoke a smile from even the most jaded of motoring hacks.
There are, of course, a few areas where it could improve. There remains significant torque steer on the Cooper S model as the front wheels try to transfer power to the road while you point them in the right direction.
Similarly the ride quality is rather jarring for passengers and on the tight and twisting hill climbs, where the car comes into its own, our passenger took on a shade of green as he was bounced around.
The test car featured BMW's DSR stability control system that keeps everything in check, but even when switched off the car feels well balanced and you have to really step out of line before it comes into play, leaving you with plenty of fun driving without interference.
It's actually quite a heavy car and given its front-wheel drive prone to understeer, though in certain situations you can feel the lightness of the rear tail in some bends.
The great thing is that none of this happens too erratically and you have plenty of time to make adjustments.
In the Cooper S, power comes from a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine putting out 175bhp rather than 163bhp in the previous version. The old version was also supercharged and let off an intoxicating whine every time you touched the throttle: this will be sorely missed by owners of the older model, even if this one has better fuel consumption.
Yet while it might not have the whine, it certainly has the performance, with a 0-100km/h time of just 7.1 seconds.
The gearbox is also better than its predecessor with precise gates that even the most clumsy of us can find at ease, though the location of the reverse gear beside first can lead you to finding the wrong one when pulling away. That's something they could easily rectify with a little button on the gearstick, a common feature on many superminis these days.
The good news for Irish buyers is that prices have not risen greatly, starting at €24,400 for the Cooper and €29,650 for the Cooper S. There's also a change in the entry-level Mini One, with the 1.6-litre engine being replaced with a 1.4-litre unit. While the selling price is down €400 to €20,900, it does mean savings on tax and insurance.
The first cars from this latest launch that will go on sale are the Cooper and Cooper S versions. In the very short-term there will be Mini One entry models and then a diesel and convertible version. Plans are also afoot to bring out the long-awaited Traveller estate version during this lifecycle.
That's probably the most innovative difference that non-Mini fanatics will notice.
Overall, this latest version is a step-up from the previous success story, and the fact they haven't tinkered too much means its future is assured.
Buyers are still flocking to the current version and the new Mini will certainly only reignite their enthusiasm. The changes mean the car retains all the great features that made it so much fun to drive, while adding a little extra space and quality to the interior, making it feel more like the premium purchase it claims to be.
Factfile: Mini Cooper S
POWER
1598cc, turbocharged four-cylinder putting out 175bhp @ 5,500rpm
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds; top speed of 140mph
PRICES
Mini Cooper €24,400; Mini Cooper S €29,650
WHEN'S IT HERE
official launch date for Ireland is November 18th, 2006