Mini's supercharged pocket rocket: the Cooper S

Cars like the Volkswagen Beetle are a prime example of why people stick to cars. Sure, the Beetle is reliable, easy to drive and quite comfortable, but many will stick to a certain brand - even a model - because they want to stick to tradition and, generally speaking, know exactly what they're getting.

Which brings us to the latest model from German carmaker, BMW, of all companies. Mini was taken over by Bavarian Motor Works more than half a decade ago, and whose aim is to sell about 100,000 minis across the world.

One of the ways in which it hopes to do this is by bringing back the Cooper S - Mini's sportier model.

Built at the Mini factories in Oxford, UK, the go kart-like Mini is an age old design that forgoes many traditional styling cues.

The wheels are placed at the very extremities of the chassis, ensuring fantastic handling and good feedback. This also ensures that the car has a low centre of gravity, something that needs to be experienced in a well-balanced car to be believed.

The car is surprisingly rigid for such a compact model, some 2-3 times ahead of the competition, and together with anti-lock brakes (ABS) and dynamic stability control (DSC), the new Mini Cooper S is as safe as it is suave. Other safety features include up to six airbags and run-flat tyres.

Fans of the original 1959 Mini will be pleased to hear that the new Cooper S, and other models, are now 18-inches longer and 14-inches wider - plus all models are now hatchback, something Mini drivers will really appreciate.

The biggest and most notable change to the Cooper S, over the standard model, is power. Now with 163bhp (122kW) @ 6000rpm, the new engine ensures the car can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in about 7.5 seconds.

The standard 1.6-litre, inline four-cylinder Chrysler engine has been bored out to 1.8-litres. BMW also saw fit to bolt on a supercharger and throw in an intercooler, because forced induction can increase power, without creating increased emissions.

Mated to the more powerful mill is a six-speed version of the car's highly-regarded short-shift manual gearbox. In all, the performance package on offer is quite surprising for such a tiny hatch, but is most welcome nonetheless.

The Cooper S gets new looks too, such as a rear roof-mounted spoiler, central mount twin exhaust pipes, larger front and rear aprons, not to mention side-skirts as well. There's the obligatory 'S' markings all over the car and a new bonnet scoop looks great, but also helps by allowing a fresh supply of air into the engine bay.

On the inside, drivers of the new Mini Cooper S get chrome door sills, brushed aluminium dashboard, bucket seats, leather steering wheel and gear stick and a 'spherical' themed instrument display.

16-inch wheels, sitting on gumball rubber, give the new Cooper S a great profile and together with a retuned suspension setup, with the emphasis on spirited driving, the new top-flight Mini stays true to its race-winning heritage. Back in 1964, the Mini Cooper S won the Monte Carlo rally, then repeated this feat in '65 and '67.

The car takes advantage of a new direct electro-hydraulic steering system, which is essentially a really powerful power-steering setup with just 2.5 turns from lock to lock. There's a reinforced anti-roll bar at the front to increase stability while reducing common body roll.

The new Mini Cooper S has changed much in the four decades between models, most notably in engine size: 1.8-litres vs. the traditional 1.3-litre (1275cc) engine. But for fans of the old-school racer, this is as good as it gets. The new look and new attitude Mini Cooper S won't alone be enough to win over Aussie drivers, but coupled with the amazing driving dynamics and BMW's impressive safety record, you'd have to say Mini and BMW could be on a winner.

At this stage, the Mini Cooper S is still going through the usual red-tape rigmarole needed for Australian conditions - such as specific headlights, right-hand drive etc. The release date is set at May 2002 at the time of writing, but if you want one by then, you'd better get in really quickly, as the demand for the new car is high. While no official price has been given by BMW, it should go for a base price of about $39,900, plus on road costs.