Mini Reviews

Mini Cooper S Chilli and Audi A1 Sport go head-to-head in this comparative review.

Someone has put the boot into the Mini Coupe and that can only help buyers when the newest addition to the Mini range arrives in late October or November.The turbocharged 1.6-litre John Cooper Works version of the coupe is the quickest Mini in the stable, but it also has the biggest cargo area in the family at 280 litres, up from 160 litres in the hatch.It’s the first Mini to handle a set of golf clubs and BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott said that boot space will be a major selling point.“The performance side of the car is one aspect, but a lot of Mini buyers buy the whole look and lifestyle,” he said. “Some people who just like the brand haven’t come across because they needed more boot space. Now they’ve got it.”The coupe is pitched against the likes of the Audi TT, Volkswagen Scirocco and Peugeot RCZ and will be priced accordingly, with prices expected to be just below $50,000 for the base model Cooper S, climbing to $60-something for the JCW. The oilburning SD (sports diesel) will slot between the two.Scott said the sporty focus of the coupe means the base Cooper model is unlikely to make it to local showrooms.The coupe will be given time to establish itself before the open-top Roadster arrives midway through next year.The stability control light is flickering, but the power drain on the Mini Coupe is constant as the two-seater squats and tries to squirt 155kW as it exits the corner of an Austrian racetrack.Hit the straight, push the button to the right of the six-speed manual gearbox to turn the stability control off and the JCW engine is let off the electronic leash.Traction control is still on (the button has to be held for three seconds to switch all the aids off) but it is intended purely to maximise grip by braking the inside wheel through the turns and there’s no sensation of losing grunt.That’s when the Mini’s character reflects its “backwards baseball cap” roof that is one of designer Anders Warming’s proudest achievements with the car.“It shows the character of this car,” he said. “This is about attitude, a little bit macho and about being street smart. And it goes like stink.”That it does. But straight line speed, despite a 6.4-second lap time from 0-100km/h, isn’t the best bit about the latest Mini. It’s the way it holds its line in the corners and the instant response to throttle and steering changes that makes this the nimblest Mini yet.Can it tackle a TT or stay with a Scirocco? Figures suggest it should and that means the 80 cars due to arrive this year are likely to be snapped up quickly.

That Mini leverages BMW's vast store of automotive knowledge is a given but the iconic front drive hatch has earned plenty of kudos in its own right since the resurrection a few years ago now. Mini is an aspirational vehicle. Because BMW doesn't have a front wheel drive passenger car in its line-up, Mini takes care of that popular niche.DESIGNThe Mini hatch was recently upgraded with a new look inside and out as well as a more bulbous bonnet designed for improved pedestrian safety. It still looks like a Mini though.We got our grubby little mitts on the range-topping John Cooper Works (JCW) Cooper S and have to admit an immediate attraction such a cute little car with such a bad attitude it's truly engaging. We love the new LED tail lights and the test car scored adaptive bi-xenon headlights that look around corners.The JCW treatment brings with it a certain look that includes larger alloy wheels in this case black painted to match the bodywork, better brakes, firmer suspension and a Sport button next to the gear stick. We had that on all the time.VALUEThe factory prepared JCW costs a sobering $49,200 but you get plenty for the money including a fuel efficient 1.6-litre petrol engine with a twin scroll turbo and variable valve timing similar to BMW's Valvetronic system. See, it pays to have influential friends. Plenty of kit is provided including an impressive audio system, Bluetooth phone and auto headlights and wipers. They have also fitted a huge centre mounted speedo just like the original cars.TECHNOLOGYThe engine is good for 155kW/280Nm output, sufficient to propel the 1205kg JCW hatch from 0-100kmh in a scant 6.8 seconds. But more important is the roll-on throttle response from the torquey four pot it feels impressive at all speeds aided by the short throw, slick shifting six speed manual transmission.DRIVINGWe love it for the robust engine performance, the kart-like dynamics, the snap, crackle and pop from the exhaust when changing gears and the quality look and feel to the entire package especially the interior. It's a cinch to park, has plenty of room inside for four if the front passengers aren't over 185cm and you get serious performance for minimal fuel use.Some might say its performance doesn't stack up against a Subaru WRX that costs less but in doing that, you aren't comparing apples with apples. The Mini is a stylish, impeccably built, good looking premium small car with sports performance and brilliant handling. It is for a more discerning buyer than any of the plastic fantastic "go fasties" that infest the small car segment.MINI COOPER S JCWPrice: from $49,200Engine: 155kW/260-280Nm 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 6.9-7.0L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 165-169

With the introduction of the Countryman, Mini is no longer the one-model wonder of BMW's stable.There's more to come than just its take on soft-roaders to keep DINKS and well-funded trendy folk in the fold when they need to make a lifestyle vehicle change.The car we're in is the front-wheel drive Cooper S six-speed auto, which provides wagon space and ample pep without the AWD set-up to get it dirty, or bogged.The Cooper S Countryman starts on the pricelist at just a tickle under $50,000 but the options and extras list is easily capable of bumping up the pricetag.Our test car was a Chilli edition, which carries a $53,150 pricetag before $3055 is added for the six-speed auto.The test car is awash with features, starting with the choice of four or no-cost-options five-seat rear bench (which removes the gimmicky centre-rail), front and rear fog lights, remote control central locking, bi-xenon headlights, roof rails and a sports leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls.There's also single-zone climate control, multi-coloured ambient lighting, a 3.5mm auxiliary and USB connection to six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth phone link, cloth upholstery, trip computer, the six-speaker sound system, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights and cloth-trimmed sports seats.The as-tested price was $62,542 - including 18in black alloy wheels (for $1170), about $1000 worth of striping and chrome bits, the double glass sunroof (which has front and rear vent function, but only the front slides aft) that adds $2587 and the satnav system (with Visual Boost graphics upgrade) contributes $2470 to the bottom line.The Countryman gets the latest incarnation of the 1.6-litre turbo four that Mini and BMW share with Citroen and Peugeot.The little turbo powerplant is flexible and punches hard when asked, thanks to a twin-scroll turbo teamed with direct injection and variable valve systems.Power and torque is the same as the rest of the Cooper S models - 135kW at 5500rpm and 240Nm of torque from 1600 through to 5000rpm, with an extra 20Nm on offer for a short burst when full-throttle demands it.The six-speed auto is 0.3 of a second slower than the manual for overall performance - 0-100km/h takes 7.9 seconds; fuel use in the auto is 7.5l/100km, almost a litre per 100km more than the manual.The Countryman sits 154mm taller, 106mm wider, 128mm more in the wheelbase (part of an extra 381mm in overall length) than the traditional Mini hatches, with a bull-nose look and wider stance suggesting this is a Mini with maxi intentions.In terms of rougher-road work, there's only an extra 19mm of clearance - 149mm for the Countryman over the hatch's 130mm - so regardless of how many wheels are driven, there's not much chance of spending much time far from sealed roads.The cabin - in the test car's case a four-seat configuration with the centre rail - has reasonable space for its overall size, more than ample for two adults and two kids, or four average-sized adults.You'll need the cargo area at its lower-capacity level for fully-grown occupants, but I - now bearing the title apparently of Carsguide's burliest road-tester - can sit behind my own driving position without serious discomfort.Bootspace isn't invaded by a spare tyre of any type and can be tailored a little using the rear seat to boost luggage space from 350 to 440 litres, or with all rear seats folded the capacity rises to 1170 litres.The little SUV gets a full list of safety features - dual front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with corner brake control and electronic brakeforce distribution, switchable stability and traction control and a tyre pressure monitoring system for the hard-riding runflats.Even with the higher ride height and slightly elevated clearance, the Countryman still carries attributes that mark it as a Mini.The steering is sharp as you'd expect, tipping the wagon into corners with gusto thanks to the punchy little powerplant.The 1.6 works well in most situations with the six-speed auto, but to keep the little wagon singing the sport mode on the automatic (and the Sport mode button that sharpens up throttle and steering a little) helps improve the response a little.The engine also returns decent fuel use figures despite some enthusiastic throttle use - the ADR claim is 7.5 litres per 100km for the auto and the trip computer showed 10.8l/100km at the end of our time in the car.With a 47-litre tank, three litres fewer than it's smaller, lighter sibling, the 620km range (using the ADR figure) isn't ground-breaking.The steering can be effected a little by camber, kickback and torque steer but generally that didn't detract too much from the drive.The cornering capability is considerable - well above what you'd expect for anything purporting to even flirt with the SUV segment.But the ride pay-off is too firm for some, with the rigidity of the runflat tyres on the 18in wheels not dealing with smaller bumps as well as would be ideal.The cloth-trimmed seats are not hugely comfortable but do offer decent levels of lateral support.

From the masters of niche vehicles comes the latest Mini model in new territory for the little Brit - the Countryman. Parent company BMW knows how to carve a new niche and the Countryman is the SUV for those who want to get a little bit dirty without abandoning the Mini brand.The first genuine four-door Mini is being presented as the beginning of a new era for the brand as more than a one-model make.  Two or four-wheel drive, four-seater (or a no-cost option five if preferred), the mini-SUV is looking to squat in some territory not yet claimed by the hordes of small SUVs on offer in the new vehicle market.VALUEThis is no bargain-basement soft-roader (although it has already sold out in the UK) - the Countryman starts from $37,700 for the entry-level Cooper; the Cooper S Countryman jumps up to a starting price of $47,500 if you only want the front wheels driven.Standard fare range-wide includes alloy wheels (ranging from 16 to 18in), multi-function sports steering wheel, trip computer, roof rails, with the S models adding Bluetooth, sports seats, the Sport mode, rain sensing wipers and automatic headlights.Any buyers looking for more spice can opt for the Chilli variants, which kick off at $43,100 for the Cooper or $53,150 for the Cooper S Chilli.The four-wheel drive model Cooper S ALL4 will start at $50,400.The Cooper D Countryman will be available from mid-year and will start at $40,950 for the front-drive model, or $43,850 for the all-wheel drive model; diesel Chilli Countryman buyers will be handing over at least $46,350 or $49,250 for all-wheel drive.TECHNOLOGYThe highlight for the Mini tech-heads is the all-wheel drive system, which goes against the front-drive bias industry trend to push only 58 per cent of drive to the front wheels and the remainder to the rear.  The Mini folks say it is uses sensors within the stability control system and is constantly variable, with almost 100 per cent able to go front or rear, but there's no lock-in mode to fix it for off-road duties.The engine line-up mirrors the hatch range, with the Cooper getting the naturally-aspirated 90kW/160Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder that uses 6.5 litres per 100km; the Cooper S has the twin-scroll turbo 1.6 offering 135kW and 240Nm of torque (or 260Nm on overboost) while claiming 6.6 litres per 100km.The 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel will deliver 82kW and 270Nm, with claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.4 litres per 100km.DESIGNWhile retaining design cues likes the floating roof and the wheel at each corner, the Countryman is almost 400mm longer (at 4.1m thanks largely to an increase in wheelbase) and 154mm taller, with muscular bulges and a broad stance, but it is still unquestionably part of the Mini family - perhaps just the less attractive sibling.The air intake for the turbo models has moved from the bonnet to the front bumper, giving the nose an almost Mustang-like look.  Luggage capacity with the adjustable rear seats in the rear-most position is 350 litres but can rise to a maximum of 1170 litres, regardless of which rear seat configuration - a two or three-seat rear set-up - is chosen.SAFETYThe safety features list has standard dynamic stability control, anti-lock brakes, six airbags and three-point inertia-reel seat belts, with the front pews getting tensioners and load limiters.DRIVINGBig, broader (in the hips for sure) and taller, the Countryman has presence - that is certain - but it's no oil painting for looks.  Out on the road, it's a little more sedate in a straight line than the hot hatches for which the brand is renowned, being swift rather than scorching for outright pace.The steering is still sharp for response, if not super-informative for the driver, but the rest of the car sometimes feels as though it has to catch up to the helm, with a touch more body roll than expected.The ride quality is not exceptional, partly due to the optional fitment of runflat tyres, and coarse-chip road surfaces generate some noise in conjunction with the tyres.  Pushing harder on a windy back-road or unsealed section and the suspension feels more at home, fidgeting less than it seemed to on the metropolitan sections pockmarked by a lack of maintenance.Some crashing through dirt road potholes was dealt with - albeit with a wince from the occupants and a check of the wheels.  The interior feels airy thanks to the taller glass portions but the feel of the plastics is a let-down and the seats weren't as comfortable as appearances would suggest.The six-speed auto - a $2350 option - is a clever transmission and largely makes the wheel-mounted shift buttons redundant.VERDICT: not bad for its first SUV effort. Mini Cooper CountrymanPrice: from $37,700.Engine: 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol, turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel four-cylinder.Transmission: six-speed manual or automatic, front or all-wheel drive.Thirst: 4.4 (Cooper D) - 8.1 (Cooper S ALL4) l/100km.

A WAGON version of the Mini is not the first vehicle that comes to mind when evacuating in the face of raging floods. However, that is one of the cars at our disposal recently in the Brisbane drama.Packed to the gunwales, rear seats down, no passengers, just my wife and much of our worldly possessions the Mini Clubman was on its way to higher ground when stopped by police. The officer was stunned by how much we had managed to pack inside the little car.The Clubman is not exactly huge. It stood in our garage next to my daughter's Suzuki Swift and was only a little bit longer. But it has enormous capacity for cargo. It would be even more cavernous if the rear seats folded down lower and flatter.VALUEConsidering it is a similar size to the Swift, but costs double, it is difficult to argue the value case for the Clubman. However, Mini is put together by BMW so it has good build quality and driving dynamics, although certainly not double that of the Swift. For most people Mini is a decision of the heart, anyway.Now the range comes with more standard features and customisation options with a modest price increase of $400. But who could put a value on the fact that you can now choose from 756 interior light colour combinations!The most important new standard feature is the inclusion of Bluetooth, although music streaming is an optional extra. Other new standard features include rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, fog lights, and velour floor mats.TECHNOLOGY"S" used to stand for supercharged. But some time ago Mini did away with the whining supercharger that sounded like a Morris gearbox in reverse. Instead, the S stands for turbocharger. Go figure.Last year the Cooper S turbo petrol engines received technical upgrades lifting power 2kW (7kW for S) with a slight decrease in emissions, plus better economy and acceleration figures. It's a wickedly powerful little unit that lights up around 2500rpm.In the test car it was mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox, although you can also get a six-speed auto. A "sport" button sharpens the steering and throttle response and is standard on all Mini Cooper S and JCW models.STYLESome say it looks quite odd and out of proportion. I say it looks a bit like a pie van with its double rear doors. But it is still undoubtedly a Mini and will have its fans, especially with its extra versatility and carrying capacity. The way those rear doors open and leave the taillights behind is quite a tasty little feature.Inside, the layout is much the same, with the iconic centrally located dishplate speedo, but trim quality has improved and the volume knob is now where it should be. The car is designed for left-hand-drive markets which means the door configuration is opposite to how it should be.This is a five-door car with two rear doors and a "suicide" door (front-opening door) on the right behind the driver. The suicide door cleverly takes the front seat belt with it and is designed to allow easier access to the rear seats. However, it opens out into traffic on right-hand-drive models. It should be on the left for footpath access. (By the way, manufacturers hate people calling it a suicide door, for obvious reasons.) Also, the right rear door opens before the left; again a left-hand-drive preference. At least it pops open with the remote which is handy.DRIVINGIf you think the Clubman is great for driving on flood-affected streets, think again.On several occasions it banged into massive potholes and felt like it wouldn't emerge from the other side. And the wild torque steer and huge volumes of power going through the front wheels make it difficult to keep traction and control on the slick mud-coated streets. For these conditions you might be better waiting for the soon-to-arrive Countryman SUV.Like all Minis it drives like a go-kart, but it also rides a bit like one so beware those potholes. I love the driver's door extra visor which is a great idea when driving with the afternoon sun belting in through the side window. Why can't other manufacturers add this simple, cheap, but handy device?Interior accommodation belies exterior dimensions. There is plenty of room front and back except it's a bit of a tight fit around the pedals for size 11 feet.VERDICTA fun little car with an added touch of practicalilty.MINI CLUBMAN COOPER SPrice: $43,800Engine: 4-cylinder 16-valve 1598cc turbo petrolPower: 128kW @ 5500rpmTorque: 240Nm @ 1600Economy: 7L/100kmDimensions (mm): 3958 (l), 1683 (w), 1432 (h), 2547 (wheelbase)Turning circle: 11mKerb weight: 1205kgCO2: 166g/km

Extra features and a more efficient diesel engine are claimed to justify a "modest" price hike on the updated Mini range.  According to Mini Australia Product Planning Manager Sue McCarthy, the price increases have been kept to a "minimum" of $400 for Cooper and JCW and $600 for the Cooper S, while the diesel is up $1000."We understand there are a lot more competitors in the market but more competitors stimulate market demand in that segment," she says."We don't view that as a negative thing. It keeps people on their toes and promotes competition."Mini's response to the competition has been to increase the level of standard features to the mid-life model update, rather than drop prices.Corporate communications manager Piers Scott points out that they sell very few basic Minis."So by building more value, we can justify a modest price uplifting," he says.  "We don't think price will be an issue."Scott says the cosmetic changes are subtle but the upgraded technology is "significant".  "There is now more Mini: more customisation, more efficiency and more technology," he says."All changes are driven from talking to our customers. If we don't do something right we hear from our customers straight away."VALUEExtra standard features include rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, Bluetooth (Bluetooth music streaming is an optional extra), USB input, fog lights (Cooper D already had them) and velour floor mats.Mini claims that for the extra $400 for the Cooper and JCW and $1000 more for the diesel you get $1450 of extra features ($950 for the JCW) and for the extra $600 for Cooper S you get $1150 in features.While you can't put a value on the styling changes inside and out, at least the knobs on the airconditioning and audio now feel much better quality.The previous knobs felt like flimsy plastic margarine tubs. The new knobs are more sturdy with a rubberised feel. It is debatable whether these changes warrant the extra price.Options include a $750 "radio visual boost" upgraded audio system with LCD screen, joystick control and on-board computer, and an updated $1900 "business navigation" system, previously $2900.Mini has also added several optional feature packages that are claimed to provide a substantial value saving on ordering the features separately.  The $1125 city package adds park distance control, alarm and auto dipping interior and exterior mirrors.The lighthouse package adds adaptive Xenon headlights and clear indicator lens and costs $700-$1600, depending on the model.  The $970 body package on the Cabrio adds a wind deflector, heated seats and a timer that tells you how long you've had the to down.There is also a cargo package that adds roof rails and a flat-load compartment floor for $825.  The popular $3900 Chilli package is retained, but with revised content.All these extras, along with the wide choice of trims, upholstery, wheels and exterior colours and striping give the Mini extended individualisation possibilities which, to a Mini owner, are invaluable.TECHNOLOGYThe big change in technology is the bigger BMW-derived 1.6-litre diesel engine that replaces the 1.4.  It has 82kW of power and a 30Nm torque increase to 270Nm.Emissions of CO2 are down to an impressive 99g/km while fuel economy is down 0.1L/100km to 3.8.  It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox with auto start/stop function, gearshift indicator to encourage frugal driving, brake energy regeneration and economical electric power steering.An automatic gearbox for the diesel will not arrive until the Mini gets the BMW 2.0-litre diesel from the 120d and 320d. It begins production in March and should arrive in June.The engine will have the same output as the current 1.6-litre unit but with different torque characteristics.  It will be mated to the six-speed ZF automatic transmission, but will not include auto stop-start technology.The first BMW group product with stop-start in an auto transmission will be the new X3.  The Cooper and Cooper S petrol engines had technical upgrades earlier this year that lifted power 2kW (7kW for S) with a slight decrease in emissions, plus better economy and acceleration figures.For the first time, Mini gets optional adaptive headlights which turn with the steering wheel to illuminate a corner. They are only available with the lighthouse package.STYLEDespite the vehicle being 99mm longer, all proportions are retained and exterior design changes are so subtle, few will notice them.  They include more pronounced fog lights, extra air ducts in the Cooper S, LED taillights and a higher Cooper bonnet to match the Cooper D and meet strict European pedestrian safety regulations.The most significant changes to design are inside.  Although the general layout with toggles and large dishplate speedo remain, there is more quality in the trim levels and feel.  McCarthy says the interior has a "quieter appearance" with more use of dark tones.IT may be cute and even pretty, but Mini is still predominantly bought by males.  Mini Australia boss David Woollcott says 55 per cent of buyers across the range are males."I think it's got to do with the fact that we (Australians) are the highest ratio of JCW buyers in the world and have a focus on racing heritage," he says.However, the Cabrio and Clubman models appeal more to women, with female buyers accounting for 80 per cent of sales.  Mini Cooper makes up 75 of total Mini sales, Clubman 10 per cent and Cabrio 15 per cent.DRIVINGTo drive home Mini's famed go-kart handling characteristics, which are unaltered with the mid-life updates, Mini launched the new models with a motorkhana in an airport hangar at Avalon, south-west of Melbourne.The surfaces shifted from painted concrete to asphalt to a concrete apron giving a feel for the high levels of grip, the nimble change of direction and the extra feel provided by the "sport" button which sharpens the steering and throttle response.Out on the road, the Mini feels precise and engaging as always. With no changes to the mechanicals, the drive down the Great Ocean Road was superfluous fun.  Even the new diesel felt little different to the old one, with the same output and handling characteristics.The real test of the changes was in the operation of the audio system which now has the confusing volume and tuning knob replaced with a more user-friendly arrangement.Another "test" was in the access to the rear seats in the cabrio which now allows the seatbelt to be hooked under the cupholder so it isn't in the way.VERDICTExtra customisation may confuse some buyers, but typical Mini owners highly value the ability to make their Mini as close to unique as you can get with a mass-produced vehicle.MINI 2011Cooper hatch: from $31,500Engine: 90kW/160Nm 4-cylinder petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 5.4-6.9L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 127-160Cooper S hatch: $40,500Engine: 135kW/240-260 Nm 4-cylinder turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 8.3-9.5L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 136-159Cooper D hatch: from $34,750Engine: 82kW/270Nm 4-cylinder turbodieselTransmissions: six-speed manualFuel consumption: 3.8L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 99g per km.JCW hatch: from $49,200Engine: 155kW/260-280Nm 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 6.9-7.0L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 165-169Cooper Clubman: $34,800Engine: 90kW/160Nm 4-cylinder petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 5.4-6.9L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 127-160Cooper S Clubman: from $43,800Engine: 135kW/240-260 Nm 4-cylinder turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 8.3-9.5L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 136-159JCW Clubman: from $51,700Engine: 155kW/260-280Nm 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 6.9-7.0L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 165-169Cooper Cabrio: from $40,200Engine: 90kW/160Nm 4-cylinder petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 5.4-6.9L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 127-160Cooper S Cabrio: from $48,600Engine: 135kW/240-260 Nm 4-cylinder turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 8.3-9.5L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 136-159JCW Cabrio: from $57,300Engine: 155kW/260-280Nm 4-cylinder twin-scroll turbo petrolTransmissions: six-speed manual, six-speed autoFuel consumption: 6.9-7.0L/100kmCO2 (g/km): 165-169 

If you've dreamed of buying an old classic, doing it up and driving it around BMW has invented the car for you. While old cars have plenty of style and a great feel about them they are encumbered with brakes, safety gear, comfort and engines from another period and most of it is not good.BMW though did the next best thing and reinvented an old classic, the Mini. And they did it well. The new Mini has much of the feel of the old car with its round headlights, large dials and retro styling but importantly is bigger, safer, more powerful and more comfortable than the old one could ever be.The Mini has been the stand out success of the retro motor movement leaving the re-made VW Beetle in its wake and proving more versatile than the little re-born Fiat 500. But then Mini invented the Clubman.While it has been around for a while I revisited it again last week in readiness for the arrival of the next generation Mini, the AWD Countryman which is due here early next year. The Clubman offers much more space, including useable rear seats, than the standard Minis and the Convertible droptop. But the Clubman is a bit of a mix and match job with both seriously good and somewhat ordinary features.People don't buy Minis for value. At $45,550 there are plenty of larger, more practical and sportier cars you can buy and have change in your pocket. But very few of them can offer the fun and the big wide grin on the driver's face from being the centre of attention that comes from driving a Mini. The range does start $9000 cheaper with the Cooper but the Cooper S offers much more power and fun.The 1.6-litre in-line four cylinder engine is a cracker. With 128kW of power and 240Nm of torque it is well suited to city traffic with its spritely acceleration and lively manners. The manual gearbox is a delight with its slick shifting but the reverse gear is a little awkward to get used to. The manual is also more fuel efficient than the auto by a not insignifcant 2L/100km. It reaches 100km/h from a standing start in 7.6 seconds.There's no getting away from it, while the standard Mini is accepted as a great looking machine people are far more divided over the longer Clubman. The real problem is the silly third door. The fact that is placed on the driver's side and therefore opens onto the traffic side means it is going to be a risk to open at times which limits its use. Though when open it does make accessing the rear much easier.The cute rear doors, copying the styling of the original little Mini wagon are easy to open. One pops open with the press of the key fob button while the other opens by a more conventional handle. The doors open wide to provide easy loading access. There's not a great deal of space (260-litres) but if you fold the rear seats down there's plenty of room (930-litres) for the shopping, a pram or more likely for Mini owners, a folded down bike or two.One thing you do get for your nearly-$50,000 is a car packed with safety features. There's everything from six airbags to stability control, brake assist driving and electronic brakeforce distribution. The car also has one of the best hillstart assistance packages I've tested to ensure it doesn't roll backwards when starting on a slope. Handbrake starts are virtually unecessary.Looks are everything with this car, whether its behind the wheel in the retro cockpit or its outside where the stand-out Mini front wins praise. With the Clubman though the back, while quite square, splits opinion. The driver's seat is adjusted manually, which while suiting the retro-feel, is a bit cheap in a nearly-$50,000 car.On the road the Mini is a handy device, you whip through the gears with ease though getting into reverse is a bit clunky. It accelerates from a standing start smoothly and is a happy highway cruiser. Rear vision through the two club doors is a big improvement over the normal Mini and the Convertible.The test car came with a sunroof that opens slightly but it tends to make the road noise louder so it will probably be of limited use.

But traditionalists will tell you that the folding metal hard-tops that have become fashionable recently aren't worthy of consideration. The folding metal hard-tops boast of being the best of both worlds but the folding roof takes up what little cargo space is on offer in these sports machines, not to mention adding weight - the enemy of true performance.Anyone who grew up with traditional sports cars will - once the rose-coloured glasses are removed - recall leaks, draughts, opaque plastic windows and fussy installation and removal. Modern fabric hoods are becoming much sturdier and are better insulated for noise and the elements, so much so that the snowballing trend of folding metal roofs has slowed.The open-air thrills of a convertible need not be pinned to a property-sized pricetag, with plenty of open-topped opportunities available for less. We look at five of the best here.MAZDA MX-5The designers of Mazda's MX-5 looked long and hard at the original Lotus Elan before embarking on the Japanese sports car that is now a modern classic and record holder for global sales. The true spiritual successor to such cars as the Austin Healey Sprite and the MG B - the lightweight, nimble, open-topped, rear-wheel-drive sporty - has maintained its focus on remaining true to the vehicles that inspired it.Only recently has the company strayed from its traditional path and offered a folding hard-top in the MX-5, thankfully without removing the cloth-topped variant from its range. All the vital items are here: airconditioning, cruise control, dual front and side airbags, stability and traction control, plus drilled aluminium pedals, sports leather seats and steering wheel, a Bose sound system, a torque-sensing limited slip differential and a six-speed manual gearbox with a rifle-bolt action. Enough said.Price: From $44,265Engine: Two-litre 16-valve four-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, rear-wheel drivePower: 118kW @ 7000rpm.Torque: 188Nm @ 5000rpm.Performance: 0-100km/h 7.6 secondsFuel consumption: 8.1litres/100km, tank 50 litresWheels: 17-in alloys.ALFA ROMEO SPIDERAlfa Romeo's Spider is a convertible steeped in tradition. The current Spider is the latest in a long line of Alfa drop-tops, perhaps the most famous being the little Italian sports car that featured in The Graduate. The Italian marque has rarely put a foot wrong when it comes to styling its convertibles - some of its sedans were questionable to say the least - but the design talent of the artisans at Alfa Romeo, Giugiaro and Pininfarina all had hands in this rag-top.While there is a V6 on offer the 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder is lighter and therefore less prone to affecting the front-wheel drive's cornering prowess. The features list for the 2.2 includes dual front, side and driver's knee airbag, six-speaker CD sound system, a full electric roof, trip computer and leather trim. The 2.2 JTS also comes standard with anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control and hill-holding functions.Price: From $69,990Engine: 2.2-litre 16-valve four-cylinder, front-wheel driveTransmission: Six-speed manual or Selespeed automaticPower: 136kW @ 6500rpmTorque: 230Nm @ 4500rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 9 secondsTop speed: 220km/hFuel consumption: 9.5litres/100km, tank 70 litresWheels: 18-in alloys.BMW 135i CONVERTIBLEThe BMW brand's littlest machine (before dropping into the Mini model range) is the 135i Convertible. The littlest Beemer is by no means a dud, particularly if the wallet extends to the 135i Convertible's $82,000-plus asking price.One of the most spirited rides within the BMW range, the rear-wheel drive, twin-turbo six-cylinder punches well above its apparent station in life, with the drivetrain offering unfussed cruising or giant-killing ability. It might look like a bit of a hairdresser's car but dropping the roof and stretching its legs will do little for the 'do.Price: From $82,200Engine: Three-litre twin-turbo 24-valve six-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed double-clutch automatic, rear-wheel drivePower: 225kW @ 5800rpmTorque: 400Nm @ 1200rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 5.6 secondsTop speed: 250km/h (governed)Fuel consumption: 8.6 litres/100km, tank 53 litresWheels: 18-in alloys.MINI COOPER S CABRIOLETAnother one from the BMW stable of products that can make a mess of a hairstyle in the best possible way is the Mini Cooper S Cabrio. It has features like climate control airconditioning that has a Cabrio mode, a MP3/USB port-compatible sound system, pop-up roll bars, cloth/leather trim and a split-folding rear seat to improve cargo space.The brattish upstart of the Cabrio market, which can now run in targa-top or full Cabrio mode, is powered by a 128kW/240Nm 1.6-litre, turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine, enough to whip it to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds. But more gentle throttle applications can see fuel consumption as low as the official figure of 7.2 litres per 100km.Price: From $48,000Engine: 1.6-litre 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel drivePower: 128kW @ 5500rpmTorque: 240Nm @ 1600rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 7.4 secondsTop speed: 222km/hFuel consumption: 7.2 litres/100km, tank 50 litresWheels: 16in alloys.AUDI TT ROADSTERAudi's TT Roadster is a sharper-looking machine than its predecessor and it has plenty going for it. There's a range of TT Roadsters on offer, starting with the front-wheel drive, two-litre turbo, a mid-spec model with the same engine and all-wheel drive or the highly-entertaining TT S at a tickle more than $100,000.All are entertaining little sports cars to drive - with the nippy front-wheel drive two-litre a worthy machine for a leisurely drive in the country. The TT S is also a smile-inducing drop-top but a leisurely pace, while easily achieved, is not its forte.Price: From $78,000Engine: Two-litre 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinderTransmission: Six-speed double-clutch automatic, front-wheel or all-wheel drivePower: 147kW @ 6000rpmTorque: 280Nm @ 1800rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h 6.5 secondsTop speed: 237km/hFuel consumption: 7.8 litres/100km, tank 55 litresWheels: 17-in alloys.

Attempting to reinvent the past is fraught with danger; the motoring graveyard is full of brave, but misguided attempts to breathe new life into past glories.  It's hard to recapture the essence of an older model, to take the thing that made it the runaway success it was and mould it into something as meaningful to today's car buyer.Of all the re-born classics carmakers have tried to pass off on the motoring public in recent times the Mini has clearly been the best and most successful.  The new age Mini not only looked passably like the old one, it had the feel of the old classic as well.MODEL WATCHIt's fair to say that the original Mini was an accidental classic.  It's designer, Sir Alec Issigonis, set out to make an efficient, affordable family car for a country still suffering the ravages of a debilitating war.The efficiency was delivered through a clever packaging approach that employed a boxy body, a wheel planted at each corner, and with the engine swung through 90 degrees from tradition to create a tiny car with a roomy cabin.With a modest engine, manual gearbox and few frills Issigonis's Mini achieved exactly what its designer intended.  Cute looks added to its appeal and the Mini became an instant hit   with car buyers all over the world.But it was to become much more than a cheap and cheerful means of family transport when revheads of the time discovered its stable   chassis could easily handle much more power than it had in its standard form.Grand Prix car designer, John Cooper, was employed to develop a special Mini, one with high performance and nimble handling that was   heaps of fun to drive.  The hot Mini Cooper was the first of Cooper's creations, the next was the even hotter Mini Cooper S that followed, both of which are much-loved classics today.The popularity of the little car was boosted enormously when London's trendy "in" crowd adopted it as their favoured means of transport.   Appearing in movies such as 'The Italian Job' also helped massage the Mini legend.With such a history BMW was under close scrutiny when it set about recreating the Mini in the early-2000's.  Fail and they would have been the laughing stock of the motoring world, but if they got it right they would have a winner on their hands.Fortunately for the German automaker they got it pretty much right, and its new-age Mini was greeted with enthusiasm.  The new Mini was much larger than the original car, but BMW managed to capture the cute looks and proportions that made the original so popular with the result that the new car doesn't look nearly as large as it is in reality.Like the original there was a wheel at each corner, which along with its well-tuned suspension produced a nimble chassis that was thrilling to drive.  One of the few criticisms of the BMW Mini was of the ride, which was thought to be a little too firm for most modern day rear-ends.Initially BMW launched the Mini Cooper with a 1.6-litre single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine boasting 85 kW and 149 Nm, but   followed up with the Mini Cooper S that had a supercharged version of the engine producing 120 kW and 210 Nm.In standard Cooper guise buyers could choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a five-speed CVT auto, while the Cooper S only   came with a six-speed manual.An update in 2003 saw the five-speed CVT replaced by a six-speed CVT auto.  Being upmarket models the Cooper and Cooper S had heaps of standard features.Externally there was the retro paint style with a white roof, alloy wheels, lashings of chrome on things like the door handles, grille and exhaust tip.  On the inside there was cloth trim, a leather steering wheel, a split-folding rear seat, air conditioning, CD sound, power windows and mirrors, remote central locking and a trio of cup holders.When it followed the Cooper S had leather trim, sports seats, larger alloys and sports suspension.IN THE SHOPThe Mini is generally a solid performer, but there are a couple of known problems areas. The power steering is noisy, and there are reports of the failure of  the power steering pump.The CVT transmission could be troublesome and should be carefully checked by someone experienced with this type of transmission. The   manual gearbox is the best choice for a fun drive.  Run-flat tyres are expensive and contribute to a firm ride some find uncomfortable.IN A CRASHThe Mini's underlying strength is its stable platform and nimble handling, with predictable power steering and power ABS anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and traction control.In Cooper S guise it also boasted electronic stability control for even more active safety.  Overlaying the active safety was a comprehensive passive safety package of front, side and head airbags.  ANCAP rated the new Mini at four stars.AT THE PUMPMini owner Frank Bradley says he gets 8.9 L/100 km on around town, and 5.7 L/100 km cruising at 100 km/h on long trips.  Those figures closely match the official BMW numbers of 8.5 L/100 km in city driving and 5.6 L/100 km on the highway, but road testers reported fuel consumption of around 10 L/100 km from cars they tested.OWNERS SAYFrank Bradley bought his manual Mini in 2002 when they were first launched and says he would buy another one if and when he was to sell it. He uses it as his daily driver, but it's also become his hobby car since he joined the Victorian Mini Club. His likes include the unique styling, the precise handling, the drivability, incredible brakes and the build quality, while his list of dislikes include the front seat comfort and the noisy power steering pump.Glenys Tidd and her husband have two Minis and says that they would have more room if they had the room. He uses his 2002 Cooper S for longer trips to the city from their country home when he likes the performance; she drives a 2008 Mini Clubman wagon for the room and   the economy. They both have a lot of fun driving their Minis and say anyone with a complaint is not really a Mini person.LOOK FOR. Cute classic looks. Agile chassis. Fun-filled driveALSO CHECK THESE. VW GTi - 2005-2007The VW Golf is the real successor to the original Mini, the GTi the successor to the Mini Cooper and Cooper S, using the same formula of   brilliant packaging and sizzling performance. The GTi sets the hot hatch benchmark. Pay $25,000-$30,000.. FORD FOCUS XR5-T - 2006-2007Like the rest of the auto world Ford took up the Mini philosophy and built on it with cars like the Focus XR5, the hot sports hatch in the   Focus range. Terrific performance, great handling, an excellent all-rounder. Pay $25,000-$27,000.. PEUGEOT 206 GTi 180 - 2004-2007Peugeot and VW were constant contenders for the hot hatch title after the departure of the original Mini. The 206 GTi 180 delivered a   genuinely sporty ride with a punchy engine and excellent chassis. Pay $16,000-$22,000.THE BOTTOM LINEFun-filled driver that successfully recalls the past.