Review: Mini Coupe (From Crewe Guardian)

Review: Mini Coupe

9:10am Tuesday 29th May 2012 in Motors By Catherine Lawler

It’s a Mini like no other that’ll certainly get you noticed.

Cute, fast and a lot of fun, this is Mini’s first two-seater sports car.

Selling alongside the Mini Hatch, Convertible, Clubman and Countryman, the British-built Mini Coupé has a choice of either the BMW/PSA 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, with a twin-scroll turbo, or BMW’s 141bhp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel.

I’m not a huge fan of sports stripes on bodywork, though they certainly add to the Coupé’s striking looks.

Adding to its appearance is the rear spoiler, which deploys automatically once you hit 50mph. It drops down again at 37mph but can be operated manually via a button in the overhead control panel.

The Coupé did have a strange effect on me, though, as I felt the need to wind the windows down and play loud music, much to the delight of my two-year-old (if fitting child seats, you’ll need to switch the air bag off).

Mini loyalists will immediately recognise the interior – the much-loved large central circular speedo, chrome toggle switches and numerous other Mini trademark features are all present in the cabin.

There is a high standard of equipment, including DAB digital radio, air conditioning, park distance control, alloy wheels and a three-spoke sport leather steering wheel.

Even when pushed hard, I felt in complete control of the Mini and was surprised at the speeds it reached with minimal effort.

Dynamic Stability Control is fitted as standard and includes anti-lock braking, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Cornering Brake Control, Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist. As an option, you can include Dynamic Traction Control with Electronic Differential Lock Control for the driven axle.

The Coupé’s compelling handling is in part due to Electric Power Steering, which gives directional control in all situations.

It also has a really comfy steering wheel!

The Mini Connected app gives iPhone owners the chance to receive Facebook and Twitter posts, display them on the on-board monitor and even have them read out by the Mini Connected voice output function.

Factfile

Car: Mini Coupé

On the road: £23,795

0-62mph: 6.4 seconds

Top speed: 149mph

Fuel: 39.8mpg (combined)

CO2 emissions: 165g/km