The Mini Cooper has a far-more pared-back interior and dashboard presentation than the previous generations under BMW control. As a result, the cabin feels airier and more spacious than before.

Based on the previous (F56) body and platform, there is sufficient space for four people, though the front seat area offers far more room to stretch out than the cramped rear bench.

For this fifth-generation model, the dash is dominated by a 240mm OLED circular display, taking care of most multimedia and vehicle functions, including speed, fuel and other instrumentation/operation data. There is also a head-up display ahead of the driver, also with instrumentation information.

Most amenities are present, including USB-C outlets, a smartphone charger, plenty of storage, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Cooper C features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, bringing 115kW of power at 6500rpm and 230Nm of torque from 1500rpm to 4600rpm. This compares to the Cooper S, that instead employs a larger, 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol unit, to deliver 150kW at 6500rpm and 300Nm between 1450rpm and 4500rpm.

Both versions are mounted transversely, and drive the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Sadly, no manual transmission is available.

There are two Cooper models on offer – the C with a 115kW 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, and the S with a 150kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.

The Cooper C starts off with the Core. It includes sports seats, climate control air-con, a 240mm circular touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, a smartphone charger, ambient lighting, a head-up display, a reverse camera, parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels and a basic cruise control set-up.

Stepping up to the Cooper C Classic brings adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera, “augmented reality” sat-nav, front seat heaters, a glass roof and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Then there is the Cooper C Favoured, ushering in a glass-roof sun protection feature, premium audio with 12 speakers, JCW sports seats with electric adjustment and memory and more-upmarket trim.

The Cooper S, meanwhile, kicks off with the Classic, then Favoured and tops out with the JCW Sport that brings more aggressive styling inside and out, adaptive suspension, paddle shifters and stronger brakes.

The Mini Cooper is a four-seater three-door hatchback.

All models come with sports seats, offering plenty of adjustment and lots of support. In some grades, they are electrically adjustable and have heating elements too.

The rear bench is divided into two, with the backrests folding to increase luggage space. There is some degree of comfort, but access to the back row is restricted by tight apertures.

The Mini Cooper C can sprint from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in 7.7 seconds, on the way to a top speed of about 225km/h. Stepping up to the Cooper S, that does the 0-100km/h sprint time in just 6.6s, for a 242km/h top-speed run.

Both Coopers run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, with the Cooper C averaging 6.0L/100km, while the Cooper S returns 6.3L/100km. With a 44L fuel tank, the potential range-average is up to around 730km.

In terms of carbon dioxide emissions averages, this translates to 137 and 145 grams per kilometre, respectively.