Mini Cooper S review, test drive

The latest Mini stays true to traditional design, but under the skin, it’s much more than a standard hatch. Read our comprehensive review.

Published on Nov 08, 2012 12:56:00 PM

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Make : Mini

Model : Cooper S

Although originally manufactured as a small car to be used by the masses for basic economical transportation, the Mini Cooper has, over time, evolved into an icon of high automobile fashion.

Launched in India in completely-built-up (CBU) form and hence subject to full import duty, the Mini range starts at Rs 25.8 lakh for the Cooper hatchback and Rs 28.6 lakh for the souped-up Cooper S featured here. Although the Indian buyer traditionally associates steeper prices with size, things are slowly changing. With growing appreciation and understanding of luxury products and BMW (Mini’s owner) well-established in India, Mini isn’t starting its Indian innings from scratch.

So what makes the Cooper S special? Does it have the go to match the show? Does it have a practical side? We had to drive it on our favourite, and not-so-favourite, roads to find out.