Review
Despite very familiar looks the second-generation of BMW's Mini is pretty much an all-new car. Big changes have taken place under the familiar-looking surface, including the arrival of an all-new engine line-up. And the good news is that it really is even better to drive than the outgoing version.
We'll forgive you if you feel disappointed by the very same-ish design, though. BMW has stuck with the previous generation's winning looks despite changing every body panel slightly.
Move into the cabin and praise becomes pretty much unambiguous. Almost all of the irritations of the previous car have been answered in the new one. The seats are more comfortable, the driving position is better and the footwell is far more spacious. Neat details include the (optional) ability to turn the cabin's ambient lighting from orange to blue. As before the rear seats are very small and boot capacity is tiny, though - the Mini is better thought of as a small coupe than a supermini.
On the road it's better than before - faster, smoother and more refined. Grip levels are massively high, and yet the Mini behaves with exemplary good manners when the limits approach. Some may mourn the passing of the rough edges that gave the previous generation so much of its credit, but overall the new Mini is a far better car.
It's all change under the bonnet too, with the arrival of three new engines. The basic Mini One uses a 1.4 litre motor which promises diesel-rivalling fuel economy, the Cooper has a normally aspirated 1.6 litre motor that uses BMW's innovative "Valvetronic" control system and the range-topping Cooper S now boasts a turbocharged 1.6 litre unit that combines serious performance with very impressive economy.
A diesel version, fitted with one of Peugeot-Citroen's excellent "HDI" engines, will be on sale in 2007.