Mini Cooper S 2005 Pictures 
gallery (4 photos)
specifications
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One explosively keen engine, various transmission options and a spanking new Mini Cooper S equals an adventure as far removed from the monotony of daily life as a Hollywood Blockbuster.
Adding to the cinematic experience is the rather prominent upright windscreen which is reminiscent of its sixties predecessor. You also get some wacky spacecraft-like dials on the dash, handy storage space and a generous list of optional extras. The driving position is low and sporty and the seats are padded out with lumbar support. To add to the racing image of the car, the steering wheel is small and bulky and the accelerator firm and smooth, with the throttle-by-wire technology delivering you power consistently and on demand.
BMW’s latest automatic Mini Cooper S is so polished that driving hardly requires any effort. However from the outset it would seem that each smooth manoeuvre was down to your accomplished operative skills. In reality, there isn’t a lot to operate especially if you have it in automatic mode. In this case you can just cruise and enjoy the scenery, or if you are stuck in commuting traffic you can just focus on your music while only having to gently tap the gas every now and then. But if you love driving for the sheer experience and like to feel in charge of the roaring machine beneath you, opt for the steptronic mode by giving the gear stick a firm tug to the right. Now you can short shift to change gear manually; towards you will allow you to go up a gear while away from you will take you down. Want something even more sporty? The race-inspired steptronic paddles situated on the steering wheel will make optimum use of the engine’s power providing you change gear at exactly the right note on the rev counter.
The impressive acceleration of this 1.6 litre hot hatch goes hand-in-hand with the efficiency of the transmission. Yet a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds can’t quite spell out how much fun it really is. The supercharger and intercooler technology are the corner stone of its success. From a standing start at the traffic lights, a heavy prod of your right foot will give you and your passenger a sensation of seemingly more G’s than a MTV Base weekend line-up. That’s courtesy of a tooth belt-driven compressor which delivers instant power without the lag.
Now image conscious buyers may put an order in for a Mini on face value alone due to the happy-go-lucky lifestyle it may insinuate. It’s like a subliminal message to your peers that you are cooler than ice. Yet the Mini is as much admired in a car park of executive’s motors due to its refined engineering and built quality.
But what is it that makes it so aesthetically pleasing? The bug-eyed headlamps are instantly eye-catching because they almost personify the car, then you’ve got the chrome surround on the grill and striking air intake above it. The sporty new Mini is squat and boxy but attractively finished with subtle curves. Adding to its road poise are the chunky 16” light alloy wheels with wide spokes and run-flat tyres as standard. To the rear of the car, the twin tail pipes indicate that the Mini is no shy retiring wall flower when it comes to power. It’s also got some mesh detailing framing the central brake light which makes it looks fiercer than your average hatchback. A bold black outline of plastic runs from the rear diffuser over the wheel arches and along the side skirt, you’ve also got a sports logo adorning the side indicator. And would this car be so slick without the wrap-around glass effect which cleverly conceals the A, B and C pillars?
Munich’s baby has a low to the floor road hugging set-up which gives away just how silky smooth the handling is. The weight distribution of the vehicle is more front heavy to give it better traction and the front and rear axels are also affected by this bias of balance so as to aid the Mini’s superior dynamics when cornering.
Ultimately the Mini Cooper S is all about experience; the exterior gives you the quirky star-studded status, the interior sets the right ambience, the power thrills you and ride and handling lures you to adventure. No wonder the legend never sleeps and the latest Mini sequel is an even bigger hit!
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Spec
ENGINE: 1,598cc supercharged petrol
POWER: 163bhp @ 6,000rpm
TORQUE (lb/ft): 155 lb ft torque at 4,000rpm
0-60mph (sec): 7.2
TOP SPEED: 135
MPG: /-/-/33.6 (urban/extra-urban/combined)
TRANSMISSION: 5 speed manual
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