43: Mini Hatch & Clubman – we’re waiting for its electric future

Top cars for 2020: Cooper S is lots of fun for not-crazy money, but watch the options prices

Mini celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, and sadly did so with a special edition that was nothing more than a conventional Mini Cooper S hatch with some extra stickers and nice leather seats.

That’s a shame considering the legacy of innovation and excitement that the brand possesses, but there’s hope in the offing - the all-electric Mini goes on sale verysoon, and promises decent range (around 300km) at a reasonablesub-€30,000 price.

In the meantime,what keeps the current model in our hearts is its personality. In spite of the weight gain and spiralling prices, the Mini is stillmassively fun to drive, and a pretty reliable machine too (in stark contrast to the 60s original).

Elongated Clubman estate is an oddball choice, and not cheap, but surprisingly practical with it. Cooper S is lots of fun for not-crazy money, but watch the options prices.

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Best model: Mini 3-door Cooper S Classic for €28,423.

Price range: €21,396 to €54,120 Finance from €122 per month.

Co2 emissions: 0 to 169g/km.

Sum up: Electric version could spark a true Mini re-invention.