New Mini Cooper India review, test drive

The best bit about the new Mini, however, is that it retains the engaging nimbleness and liveliness of its predecessor, and now feels even more plated and poised in corners. There's less 'push' or load on the front wheels compared to the earlier car, and this gives the driver more confidence to toss it from corner to corner. In fact, traction is much better than in the older Minis, and overall balance has improved so much that there’s never any shortage of fun from behind the wheel. And, thankfully, the steering delivers every bit of that go-kart-like experience Minis are so famous for. It may be slightly down on feel to the older version,  but the rest of the car is so improved, you won’t really complain. So much so that you’d wish the diesel engine made more power.

Also better is the ride quality. The suspension is more absorbent and there’s a newfound maturity to the way it tackles bumps. But there's no denying that a layer of stiffness is still there. On poorer patches of road, the body tends to feel fidgety, and you still get the odd crash of the suspension, especially over larger craters.

Should I buy one?

The new Mini has been launched in India, both in the three-door and five-door form but only in diesel guise. With prices of this luxury sport hatch starting at Rs 31.85 lakh (ex-showroom, India) for the three-door and Rs 35.20 lakh for the five-door, this car, clearly, is not for everybody. It has a terrible price to size ratio, it is 'just' a hatchback and that's just the start of it.

If, however, you are interested more in quality rather than just quantity and size, this is a car you need to take a long hard look at. An absolute riot to drive, beautifully built and equipped and more attractive to look at than many bonafide sports cars - the Mini is stylish, cheeky and loads of fun, all rolled into one. Yes, even in diesel form.