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| |  It's badge engineering, but not as we know it. This time, there's real significance to the 'S' script scribbled discreetly on the new MINI Cooper S - it stands for supercharger.
Which is good news from the outset because, as accomplished as the standard Cooper is, it cries out for extra horses to fully exploit its impressive chassis. Pre-launch blurb promised 160bhp-plus and a healthy dollop of torque from the S's forced induction set-up, so we were preparing for a balance of power and poise that would create one of the most rewarding front-wheel-drive cars ever produced.
And in almost every way it satisfies - the supercharger whines encouragingly, racecar style, as you pile on the revs, and the six-speed gearbox lets you flick between ratios with only the faintest of resistance. Handling springs no surprises, and the seemingly endless grip flatters even the most ham-fisted of drivers, while the progressive power delivery means no torque-steer - even with the standard traction control switched off. If the beefed-up cheeky styling doesn't pick up your pulse and raise a smile, then your favourite set of country road corners certainly will.
If there is a criticism, it's that the tall gearing (the S can conquer 60mph in second gear) robs the car of some of its in-town verve - the car is best appreciated on fast, curvy A-roads, where you will be snatching between the upper ratios. It's more about in-gear acceleration than frantic, tyre-scrubbing action in first and second. That does make for a relaxing motorway mile-muncher, though, as sixth is an ideal overdrive-style cruising gear.
 But these criticisms are the result of an almost desperate search for something to pin on the S. The price (£14,500) undercuts rivals from Honda and (soon) Ford, the standard spec, apart from missing air conditioning is perfectly respectable, and a glance down the options list will tempt you to personalise your MINI with the hundreds of extras available from audio upgrades to Xenon lights. We suggest thinking hard before opting for a set of the 17-inch eight-spoke alloys, though, as we found the car rode better and was much more engaging with the standard 16s.
Inside, the Cooper S is set apart from the standard cars by a slightly murky-looking aluminium dash, supportive sports seats, a chunky leather steering wheel and a unique gearlever knob with six numbers on it. Close observation will also reveal the flickering LED of a Thatcham-approved alarm and immobiliser, which probably helped the S achieve its remarkably low group 15 insurance rating. The driving position is comfortable and remarkably adaptable, and the chrome toggle switches, like the centrally mounted speedometer (and most of the cars elementary driving sensations), are evocative of the classic Minis and a joy to use.
Detail changes to the outside are restricted to a collection of subtle badges, a roof-mounted lip spoiler and the genuinely purposeful bonnet air intake.
There are hot hatches more focussed than the MINI, and hatchbacks more practical, but the MINI succeeds in being truly classless, in many ways more so than the original. It's a fitting tribute with more substance than just looks (something the Beetle failed to achieve) and is as close as any car gets to being universally appealing.
The new MINI Cooper S hits UK showrooms in June, but we've been told there's a backlog of orders already stretching through most of the summer. Somehow, we're not in the least bit surprised.
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Article reprinted with thanks to BBC.com's Topgear
BBC 'Topgear'
Article Date: Mar 20, 2002
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
Hits: 5204
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