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First drive: 2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.

First drive: 2014 MINI Cooper D
MINI's third generation under BMW gets ever more tech, more space and a more refined ride.

   



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| First Drive | Mallorca, Spain | MINI Cooper D |

Overall rating: 4 4 4 4 4

The MINI is much more grown-up than it ever has been, but our opinion is that it has lost some of its outright driver appeal compared to earlier models. That shouldn't hurt the Cooper D, though, as owners won't be looking for outright B-road thrills in this thrifty machine.

Key Facts

Model tested: MINI Cooper D
Pricing: £16,450 standard; £21,245 as tested
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: Audi A1, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo
CO2 emissions: 92g/km
Combined economy: 80.7mpg
Top speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
Power: 116hp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 270Nm at 1,750rpm

In the Metal: 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5

It doesn't really matter what I put here, as the fact of the matter is that MINI fans will love the new car nonetheless. However, we'd say that the 'F56' car looks better in non-S format, as the front end is less convoluted and busy as a result. Still, you'll end up with those daft, oversized rear light clusters that resemble the sort of artwork Walter Keane was responsible for (anyone with the 1996 album Beautiful Freak by the Eels, with the girl with the distended eyes on it, will know what I'm talking about). The general consensus is that the MINI has now got too big for its boots and if this is the size of the hatch, it's hard to imagine what footprint the next-generation Countryman will occupy. But BMW is keen to tell us that the third-gen MINI is physically shorter than any of its competitors (Audi A1, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo and Alfa MiTo) and it still retains the general 'new' MINI shape. Like many cars nowadays, bigger wheels and a bold colour do it plenty of favours.

Inside, the level of kit you can spec is amazing and it's all beautifully finished, if a mite OTT - there are so many design flourishes and chunky contours that it's hard not to feel it's a little contrived in there. Plus, despite 51 litres of extra boot space courtesy of under-floor storage, the MINI remains a relatively poor piece of packaging. There's improved rear shoulder- and legroom on offer (up 84- and 19mm respectively), but it's still tight in the back thanks to 17mm less headroom, while a laptop in its bag only just fitted sideways in the boot floor, although the inevitable Clubman and Countryman models should rectify such storage issues.

Driving it: 4 4 4 4 4

In response to customer feedback, BMW has made the MINI much more refined and grown up. And so, considering its general ride composure, it's fair to say the Cooper D is phenomenal and can convey the sort of unflappable demeanour that wouldn't disgrace a well-specified Volkswagen Golf. However, like the BMW 4 Series Convertible, that's at the cost of the final degree of driver interactivity that served previous models so well.

It's not such a problem in the Cooper D, though, which is never going to be the sharpest machine in the MINI toolbox. That there's a tiny bit too much give in the rear suspension isn't a huge issue and the back end proves to be willing to help out in tighter corners. The D also has less understeer than the S, due to having one fewer 500cc cylinders up front, but the steering lacks the feel it once had. On the D, it's particularly light in 'Mid' and 'Eco' driving modes, adding weight in 'Sport', but not yielding up any extra information about what the front tyres are up to.

The gearbox is pleasing and precise, while the brakes are up to the job in hand and are well modulated. Quoted economy is more than 80mpg, but even while driving like 90-year-old nuns we couldn't achieve 70mpg. We were told that as diesels loosen up, their economy improves so we can only presume the Cooper D will get closer to its figures in that instance. The engine refrains from transmitting shudders into the cockpit (except at low revs in higher gears) and is willing to go round to its redline without too much drama. In light of the dynamic dumbing down of the F56's chassis in order to improve comfort levels, the Cooper D seems to be the pick of the launch models at the moment.

What you get for your Money: 3 3 3 3 3

The basic car retails at £16,450, with prices increasing by up to a reasonable £400 across the range model-for-model over its predecessor. And you can add in things like a leather interior, the excellent head-up display (slightly different to that found in BMW models due to the rake of the MINI's windscreen, it features a small glass panel onto which the details are projected), active cruise control and even adaptive damping. But you'll of course pay for such fripperies; witness this Cooper D that weighed in at an eye-watering £21,245.

Interestingly, despite the second-gen car being scheduled for replacement, 2013 was the best year yet for sales of the MINI in the UK. A total of 52,627 found homes, with the Hatch leading the way with 22,682 registrations and the Countryman following up with 14,864. Of the other five variants, the next biggest seller was the Convertible, MINI shifting 4,766 units. So demand for the modern icon remains super-strong and it's unlikely to show any signs of abatement with the arrival of the new range of cars.

Worth Noting

If you're wondering why there's a gap in the five-model launch range, you're probably thinking of the Cooper SD. While no one on the launch would confirm or deny our assertions, it's likely an even faster diesel MINI hatchback is on the horizon, presumably delivering more horsepower than the old car's 143hp and yet improving on economy and emissions too.

Summary

MINI has taken a very evolutionary approach to the third generation of its sales phenomenon and rightly so; given 2.4 million examples of the car have been built since 2001, that old chestnut of 'if it ain't broke...' springs to mind. And it's sure to be a hit. With added composure, less noise and more kit on offer, it'll to fly out of showrooms. For our money, go for the hottest diesel model available - with the edges of the chassis' verve polished away for the petrol cars, the Cooper D makes the most sense as a stylish hatchback that can cover big distances in serene style.


Matt Robinson - 11 Mar 2014



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2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by Max Earey.



2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 

2014 MINI Cooper D. Image by MINI.
 






 

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