Overall rating:

We already sampled and liked the MINI Cooper SD Coupé at the beginning of the month, but that was a left-hand drive model that had yet to be refined for the British market. Strange as it may seem to try a UK model on foreign soil, we were able to get very familiar with the new MINI Coupé during a pan-European drive from Austria back to Blighty.

Key Facts

Pricing: £20,510
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: two-door coupé
Rivals: VW Scirocco, Peugeot RCZ, Audi TT
CO₂ emissions: 114g/km
Combined economy: 65.7mpg
Top speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
Power: 141bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 225lb.ft at 1,750 - 2,700rpm

In the Metal:

The fifth model in MINI's line-up is the least practical but the most sporting of the lot. Actually, that's not fair, because, at 280 litres, the boot is far superior to that of the hatchback and there's a handy flap in the rear bulkhead, which allows slender luggage to extend into the cabin. The interior itself is all but stock MINI, so there's the usual mix of retro dials, chrome and the big dinner plate of a speedometer.

As for the exterior, that's a love or loathe affair. It's quite stumpy for a coupé but it's been jazzed up with the crazy rear-facing 'baseball cap' roof, a windscreen that has been raked back by 13 degrees and an active rear spoiler. The latter raises at 50mph but you can operate it manually at a standstill for showing off purposes.

Driving it:

MINI claims that the coupé is its most structurally rigid car yet thanks to generous strengthening of the chassis and body shell. That doesn't translate into significantly more engaging handling, though. For the most part, the coupé feels just like the Cooper SD hatchback, which is an entertaining drive, but there isn't much to differentiate them. If we drove them back-to-back, the coupé would probably remain flatter through the bends and potentially a little more stable, but there isn't much in it.

Though it isn't the cheapest variant, the SD does fast and frugal very well, so it's a good compromise. A torque figure of 225lb.ft means the MINI gets into its stride with supreme gusto once you're closing in on 2,000rpm. It isn't the most refined of engines - there's an audible clatter and a lot of induction noise - nor is it anywhere near as enjoyable as the John Cooper Works flagship. It's simply a fast, clean diesel rather than a performance-honed powerplant.

What you get for your Money:

Next to the MINI Cooper SD hatchback, the Coupé costs an additional £1,760. The specification has been boosted for the Coupé, though, as things like cruise control are now standard on the upper models in the range, so you do get some extra trinkets for the additional outlay. As far as rivals go, a basic Audi TT costs £27,140, the VW Scirocco starts at £19,845 and you'll pay £21,245 for an entry-level Peugeot RCZ - so the SD is pretty competitive.

Worth Noting

Next to the MINI Cooper SD hatchback, the Coupé costs an additional £1,760. The specification has been boosted for the Coupé, though, as things like cruise control are now standard on the upper models in the range, so you do get some extra trinkets for the additional outlay. As far as rivals go, a basic Audi TT costs £27,140, the VW Scirocco starts at £19,845 and you'll pay £21,245 for an entry-level Peugeot RCZ - so the SD is pretty competitive.

Summary

The reality is that the Coupé adds little to what you can already find in the MINI hatchback and other variants. Yeah, OK, it's probably a little flatter through corners and the boot's a reasonable size, but only the obvious elements - chiefly the looks - really distinguish it from the hatch. That's not to say that it's a bad car, but it is, essentially a styling exercise - and an effective one at that. The amount of glances it drew suggests that it will have no problems at all in the showroom.