Mini Reviews

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.

The Mini goes maxi with its beefed up Countryman this week hitting Europe's packed small car hatch market. But though Europe's top-selling Volkswagen Golf is in the five-door Mini Countryman's sights, in price and its ability to be tailored to each buyer make it appeal more to the prestige car buyer and, in doing so, ironically, compete with products from its parent BMW.Mini today said the Countryman, which goes on sale in Australia in January at pricing and final specs still unknown, puts 'clear water' between it and the existing Mini models and claims the bigger hatch will lure a different audience. That may be true. Inside the Mini Countryman uses its 130mm longer wheelbase to offer excellent legroom for the two rear passengers - a three-seat rear bench is available as an option - and its high profile for a tall ceiling height.It is clearly aimed at the Mini buyer with more than one friend and though rival five-door cars can offer more room in the boot and a cheaper price tag, nothing really spells exclusivity like this latest model. In the flesh, it's big. At 4.1m long it is almost medium size hatch class and that is enforced by its near 1.6m height.The wheels are 17-inch - though 16s are standard on the base model and 8s are available - and pump out the guards so that, combined with the 'wheel at each corner' design, make it look even more toy-like than the three-door model.But it is balanced - certainly more so than the asymetrical lines and doors of the Mini Clubman wagon - and attracted curious but not divergent opinion this week.Part of the reason for the acceptance is that the Countryman is presented as an all-wheel drive. Mini doesn't exactly term it an SUV because it doesn't see it ever being a softroader. Rather, it points to the AWD system - an on-demand system from Haldex - as providing extra traction for those icy or gravel roads that may be an impediment to reaching your favourite ski field or surf spot.Global car audiences love SUVs and even pseudo-SUVs. Mini says that the Countryman ''bridges the gap between the classic Mini concept and a state-of-the-art Sports Activity Vehicle''.''The design of the Mini Countryman exudes originality, performance, a dependable robustness and versatility. And yet the customary MINI charm and individual allure remain resoundingly intact.''There's no new badge to identify the Countryman. Rather, trainspotters will need to pick out the five-door design and if in doubt, will recognise the Countryman's hexagonal-patterned grille that stands more vertical than that of the other Mini models.The engines will follow existing Mini trends in Australia, with Cooper and Cooper S in diesel and petrol confirmed but Mini says the full John Cooper Works program is unlikely.Speaking at the Mini Countryman launch in Hamburg yesterday, Mini’s product communications director, Cypselus von Frankenberg, says the bigger model has “more rational appeal’’ compared with the hatchback’s “personal appeal’’. “There’s nothing really that it competes with,’ he says.He says that people choosing the Countryman – a name borrowed from a 1960s wagon version of the original Mini – would include “loyalists who want to remain with the brand but for lifestyle reasons want more room’’.He also seeks DINKS (double income, no kids) look at the Countryman because of its all-wheel drive option and as a way of suiting their interests in outdoor pursuits.“It is a pathway car – it will keep the buyers in the Mini brand for longer,’’ he says.  When asked if the Countryman would erode sales of the Clubman – itself a slow seller – Mr von Frankenberg says each has unique appeal.“It (Clubman) has always been ‘the other Mini’ and is popular in a niche private buyer sector but also with fleets,’’ he says.“Its appeal is enough for it to stand alone.’’  The car will get a carryover 1.6 normally aspirated and 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine that it shares with the Peugeot 207GTI.  But it will get a new turbo-diesel that is from the BMW range.The 1.6-ltre turbo-diesel is a downsized version of the 2.0d BMW engine used in its 1-Series and 3-Series models.  It is more economical that the engine it replaces, cutting emissions below 100g of CO2 per km to 99g/km CO2, and has an average fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100km, beating the existing engine’s 3.9 l/100km.You can dismiss the Countryman as being just another Mini with the same characteristics, charms, idiosyncracies and looks. And, given there is a lot of common components – especially in front of the driver’s eyes – it’s easy to make judgements based purely on aesthetics.But this Mini doesn’t behave like the other Minis.  Thanks to all-wheel drive and different suspension and steering, the Countryman is a superb cruiser that doesn’t mind a bit of dirt under its wheels.Through fast flowing German traffic, the Countryman – tested only in AWD and with the sweet carryover 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine – didn’t embarrass its occupants by keeping up with even the quickest fellow travellers.The six-speed manual was a bit vague which slowed down the shift speed, but when that torque started pouring through from just under 2000rpm it created a swift mid-range tourer ideal for overtaking and with reserves of punch for mid-corner manoueves.Subtle – yet important – changes have been made to the steering. By comparison with the hatch, the Countryman’s electric assist has better feel and is less likely to find a dead spot just off centre.Some of this improved feel is due to the all-wheel drive and some to the more rigid chassis that resulted in the stiffening needed to support the AWD components.The Countryman in AWD (Called ALL4) Cooper S guise weighs 1380kg – 250kg more than the equivalent hatch version – though the extra lard is masked beautifully.The Countryman has a loping attitude to the road, sprung unusually soft on its long-travel suspension. Even the run-flat tyres (there’s no spare) are compliant and there’s no ill effect on occupant comfort.The engine is raspy and a bit agricultural at idle when standing outside. Inside the cabin, it’s quiet and will cruise at 140km/h (German autobahn style) in near silence.The cabin treatment is subdued in terms of colours but typically mish-mash in terms of the layout and design of switchgear and instruments. The central speedo, for example, is too big to read clearly so the digital speed readout in the tachometer – attached to the steering column – is used.Visibility is reasonable, marred by the tiny rear window and the width of the car, but that affects only the driver. It is, for example, a nice spot for kids to view the passing scenery.The two bucket seats in the back can be swapped at no extra cost for a bench seat that, ostensibly, will accept three people. In fact, Mini expects a relatively small pick up of this option and sees buyers staying with the intimacy of a four-seat car.

Doing 100km of general running about for less than five bucks in fuel makes motoring pretty affordable. As manufacturers bring out more models with increasingly-amazing frugality, motorists are laughing all the way from the pumps. A generation ago, the 30 miles per gallon mark (9.4 litres/100km in metric speak) was a

A little burble from the exhaust system, go-kart-like handling, the wind in your hair and a clean set of heels at the lights... that is what many office-bound men and women live for.

What price do you put on a smile? Not just talking monetary value, but also convenience, comfort and safety.I recently went into a tirade about another manufacturer who released a sports version of their convertible. It just doesn't make any sense. The engine and suspension are just too much for the compromised chassis to deal with. The laws of physics are just against it.Besides, isn't a convertible all about opening up to the warmth of the sunshine and the smells of the countryside as you amble along a country road? It's not about taking off the top and scorching through so fast you can't see, hear or feel anything except the bodywork shaking, rattling and rolling under duress.Then I jumped into the Mini JCW (John Cooper Works) Cabrio and my angry-old-man arguments exploded in my face. Here is a car that is way over-powered and over-sprung for its chassis. It should have me turning purple with apoplexy.Yet somehow I couldn't stop grinning every time I drove it. I even dropped the lid on one occasion and took my wife to the park for a twilight walk and put on a silly sparkly green hat for the photos. A Mini convertible can do that to you. They put a smile on your face, even when everything practical inside you is screaming 'this just doesn't make any sense'.Appearance and fit-outOur test came with silly GT stripes, bright chromed eyes like a cutesy bunny rabbit, lairy spokes 17-inch alloys and a chintzy JCW badge on its bum. Inside, there are the usual fiddly toggle switches, the school clock-sized speedo in the centre dash area and impossible-to-read instruments.The front sport seats are actually quite comfortable and it's not too difficult to get in and out. But there is next to no room in the back and forget about any cargo space. Thankfully the soft top folds down on to the top of the back deck, rather than taking up any more boot space. There are so many accessories and customisation options available, it is possible you can customise it into a unique model.DrivetrainThis one now comes packed with 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that pumps out 155kW of power and 280Nm of twisting torque on overboost. The poor old steering and chassis just can't cope. Plant your foot and it's like trying to wrestle a python. The steering wheel yanks and twists this way and that way while the chassis contorts, making the whole thing shudder and quake.DrivingIt's just ridiculous. Yet something inside me wants to giggle like a schoolgirl when it happens. So every time I got into this car I gave it the berries just to wrestle with it. I also discovered that if you suddenly released the throttle when the revs are about 4500rpm, you get a nice exhaust ‘woof’ as the unburnt fuel rolls out the back in a big glob. And with the top down it sounds even better. That's the sort of ludicrous and juvenile behaviour you tend to get up to in this car. And instead of passersby scowling, they look up, smile and wave.I'd still like a little more give in the suspension. It's just so uncomfortable. I swear you could drive across a manhole cover and read the words imprinted on it. Torque steer, bump steer, scuttle shake, rattle and roll, it's got it all. But it’s still fun. It's no surprise that Hertz calls the Mini convertible as 'The Hawaiian shirt of rental cars'. The JCW version adds GT stripes to that shirt.Mini John Cooper Works CabrioPRICE: from $56,900ENGINE: 4-cylinder/16 valve, with twin-scroll Turbocharger, 1598ccPOWER: 155Kw @ 6000rpmTORQUE: 260Nm from 1850-5600rpm (280Nm from 2000-5300rpm with overboost)ACCELERATION: 0-100 km/h in 6.9secECONOMY: 7.1L/100km (combined)TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

But the really important question is: what do women want in a car?Finding the answer keeps carmakers tossing and turning at night, because they are well aware that women choose more than half the vehicles sold in Australia. There are all the ones they buy for themselves, as well as the deciding vote on most of the ones bought by households.Sorry, fellas. It’s true. No matter how much you want that souped-up sports car, unless the head of household finances agrees you may as well back away from the vehicle now.One of the earliest attempts to deliver a car for women was the mid-1950s Dodge La Femme. It was actually a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer under the skin, but the Detroit designers camouflaged that skin as thoroughly as a make-up artist doing Vogue covers.The car was decked out in pink paint, with an interior covered in pink vinyl, set off by pink rosebud tapestry. And to show that this was not merely a cynical marketing exercise, Dodge kitted the car with accessories they thought reflected the growing independence of post-World War II women moving into meaningful career paths - a pink handbag complete with office essentials like a matching powder compact, lipstick case and comb.Sales estimates run as low as less than 1000 cars. And the pink panderer was quickly dropped from the Dodge range at the end of the following year.Australia’s own Carla Zampatti tweaked a Ford specifically for women in the 1980s, but whether it won women - with accessories including a hanging hook for handbags - is still open to question.However, Dodge and Ford weren’t completely on the wrong track. Women want a car to be stylish, but also practical. Luckily, these days there are quite a few vehicles that fit the bill – without playing the pink paint card. These are the best style picks for women today, from a woman's perspective, with the figures for the basic car.Don’t agree with these? Let us know what YOU think women want in a car in our poll at left.LIGHTMazda2Price: from $16,030Engine: 76kW/137Nm 1.5-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 6.4L/kmEmissions: 152g/kmThe baby 2 has cute and slightly edgy looks, is compact with usable space, and the long doors make it easy to get in the back seat. The auto will be preferred by most, but it adds to the weight of the little car.Close calls: Ford Fiesta from $16,990; Peugeot 207 from $22,490.SMALLBMW 1-SeriesPrice: from $38,900Engine: 160kW/270Nm 2.0-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.2L/kmEmissions: 190g/kmA pocket-sized entry in German prestige – without breaking the pocket. Looks stunning, an amazing amount of room, and great to drive.Close calls: Mazda3 from $21,330; Hyundai i30 from $20,390.MEDIUMFord MondeoPrice: from $31,990Engine: 118kW/208Nm 2.3-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 9.5L/kmEmissions: 227g/kmThe best thing Ford has brought to Australia in … ever, possibly. Enough space to make you wonder if you’ll ever need a larger car, elegant design and well built.Close calls: Mazda6 from $31,834; Audi A5 Sportback from $78,400.LARGEAudi A6Price: from $74,500Engine: 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrolTransmission: automaticEconomy: 5.8L/kmEmissions: 153g/kmThere’s not a high chic quotient in this class - where the homegrown Falcon and Commodore lean more to aggressive styling - so the Audi’s restrained elegance makes it a clear winner.Close calls: Honda Accord from $36,381Mercedes-Benz E-Class from $80,900.PEOPLE MOVERHonda OdysseyPrice: from $46,166Engine: 132kW/218Nm 2.5-litre petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.9L/kmEmissions: 212g/kmIn a class that’s dominated by lumpy boxes, the Odyssey is a sleek stand-out. It's low-slung, car-like and leading with a fashionable face.Close calls: Citroen C4 Grand Picasso from $39,990; Chrysler Voyager $60,990.SPORTYBMW Mini Cooper ClubmanPrice: from $36,600Engine: 88kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrolTransmission: automaticEconomy: 6.8L/kmEmissions: 163g/kmA bonsai wagon with go-kart street cred and revamped retro lines, this one will get admiring glances from everybody.Close calls: Kia Cerato Koup from $23,690; Audi S3 from $69,100.CONVERTIBLEVolkswagen EosPrice: from $47,990Engine: 103kW/320Nm dieselTransmission: automaticEconomy: 6.0L/kmEmissions: 158g/kmThe EOS is streamlined and sophisticated, looks equally good with the roof open or closed – and has enough room in the back to get a couple of extra friends in for short trips.Close calls: BMW Z4 from $86,200; Lexus IS250C from $80,150. SUVHyundai ix35Price: from $26,990Engine: 122kW/197Nm petrolTransmission: manualEconomy: 8.5L/kmEmissions: 201g/kmThere’s heaps of practicality but precious little style in the SUV paddocks. But Hyundai’s new compact ix35 proves you can have both. Ultra-modern lines, trim shape and space to spare.Close calls: Jeep Wrangler (medium) from $31,590; Land Rover Range Rover Sport (large) from $99,900.

Getting a D for your new Mini does not mean you have failed. Actually, the new Cooper D is a winner. The D badge on the bum stands for diesel and the installation of the latest-generation common-rail 1.6-litre turbodiesel in the nose of the new-age Mini means you can travel more than 1000 kilometres between refills.The diesel is the third turbo Mini motor, joining the petrol-fuelled Cooper S and John Cooper Works models which both have twin-scroll turbocharging for more go. The turbodiesel D is very different, and since it was launched in Australia back in May the D has been a moderate success for the brand. But interest is growingOrders are now double the original showroom forecast - even if it was a low target - and around one-third of total Mini sales down under. And the car's frugal economy continues to attract strong interest. According to Mini, the D is a compelling hatch for anyone looking to drive their dollar further.If an average owner travels 15,000km a year in the Mini D, the fuel bill is under $15 a week at current metro diesel prices.Economy The 1.6-litre diesel has a combined fuel sipping figure of 3.9 litres for every 100km, which made it the country's most fuel efficient car back in May. However, Ford has since claimed the title with its Fiesta Econetic, which gets 3.7 litres/100km and BMW has also done better with its 118dStill, the arrival of other fuel misers does not diminish the Mini Cooper D's appeal.Styling The Mini Cooper D looks almost exactly the same as the 1.6-litre petrol models. Trainspotters will notice that the bonnet gets a more muscular curve to accommodate larger induction plumbing and of course the rear badge signalling it's an oil-burner. The large intake below the bumper, which feeds air into the engine, has a different grille and is split by a slim, body-coloured bar.Equipment The D gets the same equipment as the petrol Cooper, which means stability control, six airbags, 15-inch alloys, air conditioning, CD stereo, trip computer, multi-function sports steering wheel, cruise control and height-adjustable front seats.Drivetrain The 80kW diesel engine delivers a punchy 240Nm between 1750 and 2000 revs, 70 per cent available at just 1250 revs. Like the Cooper S petrol engines, the lightweight diesel engine's turbocharger also has a torque overboost feature. This extra 20Nm pushes peak torque to 260Nm at short notice, for swifter overtaking. The D is good for a 9.9-second sprint to 100km/h and will run out to a top speed of 195km/h.Mini has borrowed the car's economy features from some BMW models, which is not surprising as the German brand owns Mini. There is an auto-stop-start function on the six-speed manual, which means the engine stops when the car is stationary and in neutral.The car also has brake-energy regeneration, which helps lower the car's C02 emissions to just 104 grams for every kilometre. There is also a gear change indicator light, which shows up on the dashboard to indicate the ideal gear. The car also gets a streamlined underbody aerodynamic panel to help reduced drag, and on-demand engine equipment such as electric power-assisted steering, a switchable water pump and flow-regulated oil pump that only operate when needed.Driving Mini is stretching the limit on the fuel economy of the D. It says 3.9L/100km and splashes the figure on the driver's door like a giant racing number. For me, it is a 4.1 car. Not that it's a bad thing. And I didn't miss the target by much. It is massively frugal yet still gets along very briskly, retaining the zip-zap cornering character of the petrol-powered Mini with a solid surge of overtaking torque at any time.It's not as brisk as you might expect from a Mini, and as I remember from the Cooper S and John Cooper cars, but is still quick enough for most people. And fine around the city or suburbs.The best thing is that, provided you shift early and often in the six-speed manual, you can have signature Mini fun. That means quickish sprints, good go around corners, and enough punch to chirp the tyres on a 1-2 change.The fuel-saver gear on the Mini D is barely noticeable, apart from the engine-off system when you stop at traffic lights. It's a good idea that is catching on fast, and the re-start on the Mini was quicker than a Land Rover Freelander I drove earlier this year.The upshift indicator in the dash is another good idea, hinting when it's best to shift for economy, although it's impossible to check the electric steering or on-demand water pump. The braking performance was a bit sharper than I remember from the John Cooper car, but that could be me and not the brake-energy regeneration.The overall Mini package is just as I remember, from the funky dash to the tiny boot (although there are folding rear seats) and the click-clack positive gearshift.The only real downside is engine noise, particularly at start-up. The diesel rattles and clanks and the Mini does not have the sort of countermeasures in the latest all-new diesel cars, such as the Benz E-Class. It will come, but not yet.Some people will miss the zippy performance of the go-faster Mini models, but the D is more than good enough to pace city traffic and can get up for go in the country. And the chassis has plenty in reserve at any time, so you don't get the edgy feeling or the steering tug of the high-powered Mini models.It's not as refined as a Golf diesel, but the Mini is still a Mini and now it's possible to have your fun and drive past most service stations with a smile.Score 79/100Bottom line: A combination of fun and frugal that is unique today, and very appealing for some people.Mini D Price: From $33,750Engine: 1.6-litre turbo diesel four cylinderOutputs: 80kW at 4000 revs, 240Nm at 1750 revsTransmission: Six-speed manual (six-speed auto optional)Economy: 3.9/100km combinedRIVALS Peugeot 308 1.6 XSE HDI 75/100 (from $34,690)Volkswagen Golf 2.0TDI 81/100(from $33,190)Hyundai i30 1.6 SLX CRDi 77/100 (from $26,390) 

Australia could be the fourth country to get an electric Mini.The BMW Group has produced about 500 Mini E vehicles which run on mains electricity stored in a battery. They are loaned out to VIPs and government departments in the US, Germany and recently England.BMW Australia product communications manager Tim James hopes Australia will be the next to get an appraisal vehicle. "We have submitted a request to have a vehicle as part of a small pilot programme in Australia for various press evaluation and potentially government departments," he said. "There is no confirmation yet, but we have asked and we are confident. "Timing is unconfirmed at this stage."Unless you have been living in the Big Brother House for the past year, you would be aware that electric vehicles are imminent. Nissan, Mitsubishi, Smart and others are about to release mass market models while many other manufacturers are experimenting with small-volume test vehicles. Mini is one such company.Where the Mini E differs from most other models is that it is a commonly recognisable car. In the past, electric cars have either been golf carts or space-age weirdo machines that look like something George Jetson would drive. They were also thought to be slugs until Tesla came along and sorted that out; albeit with an expensive price tag. But they were never thought to be cars we could actually drive and afford. Until Mini E.Here is a car that looks exactly like a normal car. The only differences are some decals and the fact that it is a two-seater as the battery takes up the back seat.Mini E has a claimed range of 240km, produces 150kW of power and 220Nm of torque and will accelerate to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.DrivingBMW last week loaned a Mini E to four Australian journalists to test around the streets and autobahns of Munich and surrounds. While we can confirm that it accelerates in a linear fashion to 100km/h in about 8.5 seconds, the claim about range must be based on a little old lady driving it to church.After our strenuous testing, the range indicator (where the tacho normally is) told us we would get about 70 per cent of the claimed range. Mini E project director Dieter Falkensteiner told us it was ‘driveable like a Mini auto’. However, with its enormous torque from go, it is a bit of a torque-steering handful when the lights go green.It also features overly aggressive regenerative braking which harnesses the kinetic energy of the brakes to recharge the battery.However, it feels as if the handbrake is still on. As soon as you release pressure on the accelerator, there is substantial deceleration. No coasting as you would expect in a normal car. This is fairly common for en electric vehicle, but it is the most dramatic of any electric cars I have driven. It is so effective, that it will decelerate to a complete stop from 100km/h in about 12 seconds without having to touch the brakes at all. That might be good for brake disc wear, but it will certainly take some getting used to.Together with a slight delay in the accelerator response, I found it rather difficult to drive smoothly especially in stop-go traffic. However, if you are keen on having a red-hot go, it rewards with a powerful thrust of linear acceleration, accompanied only by the muted sounds of a hair dryer. In fact, that sound is the airconditioning system trying to keep the battery cool.The 260kg battery takes up the entire back seat area and adds to the vehicle's extra weight which is up about 400kg on as similar auto Cooper. The battery can be quick charged on 50amp in about 2.5 hours or 32amp in five hours and draws a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours of electricity, costing about $5, depending on your supplier and when you charge. Australian mains power would charge it in around eight hours. Falkensteiner said that with development, the battery size would be reduced and the rear seat returned. How that battery copes with Australia's extremes of temperature are yet to be determined.Mini EBody: 2-door, 2-seaterMotor: asynchronous electricPower: 150kWTorque: 220NmBattery: lithium-ionWeight: 1465kgAcceleration: 0-100km/h 8.5 seconds

Hybrid or diesel? It's one of the burning questions of 2009. Rival carmakers each claim to have the perfect answer to the green question of the new millennium, but they can’t both be right when one is trumpeting the economy and efficiency of diesel and the other says a petrol-electric hybrid is the only way forward. So we put them to the test.The contestants We lined the latest Mini Diesel up against the all-new Toyota Prius and put them through their hoops in the real-world disaster zone of commuter travel.To keep thirst and belch low, the Prius relies on switching over to its electric motor – partly charged by capturing regenerative braking power – whenever practical, while the Mini uses an efficient diesel system and stop-start technology that switches off the engine when you’re stationary. And they both do impressive figures on a test cycle.The Prius III’s 1.8-litre engine claims official figures of 3.9L/100km for urban and combined driving, and 3.7l for highway running, with emissions pegged at 89gm/km of CO2.Mini D carries a 1.5-litre diesel engine that also posts an official figure of 3.9l/100km combined - rising to 4.7l in city driving and dropping to 3.5l for the highway - but emits 104gm/km,But a laboratory test is a long way from the stop-start grind of an average Australian workday run. So how would they perform in a series of nightmare commuter runs through Sydney’s peak hour traffic into the CBD? We asked two colleagues to do a couple of commutes in each car, driving in their normal manner, restricting their trips to the work runs and noting their fuel consumption and impressions.Northern trips From Narabeen, Simon Fuller has a commute of about 35km, and takes just over an hour to cover it on average. The two round trips he did in the Prius through morning and afternoon peak hours resulted in an average fuel consumption of 4.6L/100km. Being totally city driving, that’s naturally a bit above the official combined figure, but a fairly economical result for peak hour travel.The same trips in the Mini came in at 4.9l/100km - just 0.2l above the car’s claimed city figure, but with the higher price of diesel a more expensive commute.Southern trips From Oyster Bay, Brett Houldin also travels about 35km and takes just over an hour. His two round trips in the Prius resulted in an average fuel consumption of 4.5L/100km, while his Mini consumption finished at 5.3l. So it seems the Toyota hybrid can ward off the bowser challenge from the Mini diesel. But if you’re going to spend long hours in a car, a great fuel figure is not the whole picture.Fuller on the Prius City driving at any time around peak hour means that there is plenty of stopping and starting in your drive. The Prius’ sluggish take-off but sensitive brakes made this an interesting practice, but this wasn’t too hard to adapt to. And once the car is moving, it has no problem getting up to the required speed. The steering was a pleasure and the turning circle was impressive.But when the electric motor is in control on slow-speed inclines-such exit ramps out of car parks - there is a tendency for the Prius to stop and roll backwards. I learned to put my foot down on the accelerator a lot harder than would feel comfortable in most cars.However I liked the radar cruise control. I didn’t have to brake or accelerate as the speed of the car in front changed. The radar would detect the Prius getting closer to the car in front, brake, and then resume speed once there was sufficient room again. Not sure how much I trust a computer-driven car, but it certainly was fun.As was the parallel park assist function. Once you have lined up a spot to park in, all you have to do is brake as it reverses and steers for you. For many people, the excellent fuel consumption might make it a significant factor in their car choice. If these were priced in a lower price range, I think they would be a lot more appealing.Overall, the Prius was roomy, reasonably powered, and feature packed. But there was no sense of pleasure in the driving. It lacked the feel that a keen driver would be looking for.Houldin on the Prius It’s small and sleek, but powerless. My first reaction - a lawn mower. It was hard to adjust to such a different car from my usual V8 offroader, and that was obvious each time I took off from the lights. But once you got up to around 30km/h, the car was very comfortable and enjoyable to drive around the city, manoeuvrable and easy to control.I enjoyed the positioning of various buttons and the ease of driving. Having the odometer in the middle was at first annoying till I used the illuminated ‘heads-up’ display - this is a fantastic addition. My biggest complaint was the location of the back spoiler. It seemed to be in the way every time I wanted to look through the rear-view mirror. But overall, a good city car and very economical, so it suits its purpose.Fuller on the MiniI was surprised at the spaciousness of the cabin, and felt an immediate sense of excitement at the interior-bucket seats, retro-styled gauges, aircraft-like control switches, two-panel sunroof … it looked like this car had it all.The engine has the hollow burbling noise familiar with diesel engines, but with the doors closed and windows up, you'd have no idea it wasn’t a petrol motor, until you use the accelerator. The distinct difference is the torque that this little beast has to offer compared to a similar sized petrol powerplant. It's definitely not lacking.The clutch and gearbox feel solid and are both easy to adapt to and very smooth. Gear ratios probably couldn't be much closer to perfect either. The steering is firm, and it handles well. There was an initial abrupt reminder that the engine switches off when stationary after you shift into neutral. Not yet trusting the system, I just touched the clutch pedal and the engine fired back up, and very quickly too.The Mini also coped well with a peak-hour commuter’s dread in a manual-stretches of stop-start-crawl on a twisty uphill road. The Mini makes this a piece of cake, with the hill-hold feature kicking in every time you come to a rest while facing uphill, making take-offs so easy and never needing the handbrake. And it used just under half the fuel of my regular vehicle, a turbo four-cylinder Mazda.Houldin on the Mini The manual is annoying in heavy traffic, especially when it turns off during idle. I found the suggested gear change interesting, mostly because it suggested changing before 2000rpm-this is obviously how they claim such low consumption. Very rarely did I get it into sixth gear around town even when it suggested it at 70km/h.But this car is really fun with a go-cart feel. It sounds like many other diesel engines - and this one was similar to an old Herbie. There is plenty of power for a small car and it’s very zippy around the city, but you tend to not focus on how fast you’re going when the gauge is in the middle of the dash. And the mesh cover on the sunroof is basically useless. It should have been solid.But overall it handles very well and you’d recommend it to anyone looking for some basic thrills with minimal running costs.Fuller’s choice The Mini for sure, because although it has great economy and is better for the environment than most cars, it manages to not compromise the driving experience, and still has plenty of power to boot. It's got better visibility and not so many features that I probably wouldn't end up using, like the parking assist.Houldin’s choice I’d buy the Prius, mainly because I know my wife loved it and it’s the type of car she would drive more than me. It had some awesome techno features that were equivalent to a top of the market car. But if I wanted a car just to fang around in, no question - the Mini.Toyota Prius Price: From $39,900 (Prius) to $53,500 (Prius i-Tech) plus on-road costsEngine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol plus electric motorOutputs: 73kW at 5200rpm and 142Nm at 4000rpm (engine); 60kW (motor); net power 100kWTransmission: Continuously variable transmission, front-wheel driveEconomy (official): 3.9l/100km combined and urban, 3.7l/100km highwayEconomy (on test): 4.5l/100km urban, averagedMini Cooper D Price: From $33,750 plus on-road costsEngine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder dieselOutput: 80kW at 4000rpm and 240Nm at 1750rpmTransmissions: Six-speed manual or automatic, front-wheel driveEconomy (official): 3.9l/100km combined, 3.5l/100km highway, 4.7l/100km urbanEconomy (on test): 5.1/100km urban, averaged

Blank switch covers on the dashboard of a new car say something about the owner. It says: You are a cheapskate. You couldn't afford to buy the extras that come with the switches to fill these holes. So for the life of your car, they stare blankly back at every occupant and silently scream ‘cheapskate’.Thankfully, there are ways to fill ugly and embarrassing blanks in a new car's dashboard. Mini has found the ideal fitment to its Cabrio S Chilli, a model that frustratingly spent some time in my hands getting wet in a few days of winter rain.It is the ‘absolutely unique Always-Open Timer’. In plain English, it tells you how long the roof has been open and so important is this device that it sits big and proud alongside the tachometer. Why? Because, Mini says, ‘this unprecedented instrument shows the driver and passengers the time they have spent driving with the roof down, motivating the driver to really enjoy the thrill of open-air motoring as frequently as possible’.There are SO many things I want to say about this, but I'm going to be kind and just suggest that blank switch covers would actually be better looking, cheaper and serve a greater function.Drivetrain On a kinder note, the Mini Cabrio S is a gem. It's all to do with the bright, lively and even fuel-miserly 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine that constantly lures the driver to revel in its prodigious torque and sweet nigh-revving exhaust note. The transmission is a six-speed manual — though an auto is available — which is equally as delightful and a joy to stir.The engine, also used by Peugeot in its 207 model, has already been voted as one of the world's best and for very good reason. If it has a fault it lies in the noise generated by the driver's active right foot.Body and space Don't think that the Mini is a small car. It's a scale model of the original 1960s creation but has been super-sized so it has proportions close to the Golf or Corolla hatch. That indicates room for four but in effect is a 2+2 with the children allocated in the diminutive, yet beautifully crafted, rear seats.The Cabrio gets a fabric roof with electric drive and includes a clever ‘targa-style’ setting that opens just the section above the front occupants' heads. Better is that this function can be opened and closed at speeds up to 30km/h. If the weather is inclement — as it was for the majority of this test — then Mini this year provides climate airconditioning as standard.For protection in a roll-over, there is a single-piece rollbar behind the rear seats that arises automatically in 150 milliseconds. I doubt if you'd need this. The Mini Cabrio — tested in its S Chilli version which adds more features plus the turbocharged engine — hangs on like a limit through the bends.Driving This is really one of the best fun cars — along with the Mazda MX-5 which incidentally is its biggest rival — on the market.The short wheelbase, wide track and sharp steering ratio make it go-kart accurate and with the ability to change its line through the corner. But the ride on the run-flat tyres is firm and sometimes harsh and usually noisy. It works well, however, on smooth bitumen. The Mini Cabrio S Chilli is a great package — at least from a drivetrain point of view.But the Mini demands sympathetic and well-heeled buyers. These are people who can live with its small cabin, hodge-podge switch and gauge placement and the unconventional placement of the windscreen somewhere near the headlights.It would never win any aesthetic prize. Like the original Mini, the speedo is a huge dinner plate disc in the centre of the dash. It is within easy view of any occupant and can become an issue if you pick a pedantic passenger. Toggle switches are placed — predominantly — in the centre of the dash and can be awkward to quickly locate.Then there's the stupid ignition key that has to slide into position one-way up and then a starter button has to be pressed. Too fussy! But I'm probably being too fussy myself. This is a style car and the function may be less important to its buyers.PricingIt's not cheap. Prices for the Cabrios start at a reasonable $39,800 but you have to fill in the blank dashboard panels so the option list can get a healthy work out. As tested, the car was $51,600. That includes the Always-Open Timer that told me the brief time spent with my head in the fresh air cost $2345.45 a minute. And that's a figure any owner would not want to gauge.Mini Cooper S Cabrio Chilli Price: $51,600Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, turbochargedPower: 128kW @ 5500rpmTorque: 240Nm @ 1600-5000rpmPerformance: 0-100km/h: 7.1 secondsFuel economy (official): 7.2 litres/100km, (tested): 8.4 litres/100kmEmissions: 171g/km (Corolla: 175g/km)Transmission: 6-speed manual; front-driveVerdict: 85/100Rivals: Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.6 ($43,900) — 87/100Mazda MX-5 ($43,850) — 92/100Lotus Elise 1.8S ($69,990) — 91/100BMW 120i Convertible ($52,900) — 88/100