First Drives2014 MINI Cooper: Decreasingly English!
As a car whose parents come from different backgrounds, the MINI Cooper has come a long way since its reincarnation in 2002. Its ancestor, the first MINI Cooper, was a pure Brit, but the second vehicle of the same name became increasingly German after the brand was purchased by BMW—which …
Spotlight on2014 MINI Cooper: We’re Testing the 3rd Generation this Week!
2014 MINI Cooper: We’re testing the 3rd generation this week! In 2002, BMW made a splash by reincarnating the MINI, the celebrated miniature British car. Since then, the MINI Cooper and its various versions have captured the hearts of many thanks to its style and bold interior. Not your everyday …
Test Drives2011 Mini Cooper S: A Freshly Facelifted Time Machine4.5/5
Life is too short to drive a boring car. For the first time in mankind’s history, the latest generations of homo sapiens have a shorter life expectancy than the ones previous. The result of too much time spent stagnating, this should be frightening news, and yet no one seems to …
Test Drives2011 Mini Cooper Clubman: Like a Regular Mini, Only Better4.0/5
I love my car. It’s an old Land Rover that may not be the prettiest thing on the road, and it definitely isn’t fast, but it does absolutely everything I could ever ask a vehicle to do. It’ll get me to my destination, regardless of what lies between there and …
Test DrivesManic in Miniature: the 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible3.0/5
When the Mini Cooper debuted five decades ago, it broke the mold as the quintessentially universal automobile. Currying favour with everyone from royalty to couriers to race car drivers of international repute, its basic layout, spacious interior, compact proportions, and exuberant driving experience was universally lauded by critics. Buyers lines …
Comparative TestsThe Un-Hot-Hatch Comparo: Volvo C30 vs. Volkwagen Rabbit vs. Mini Cooper
Select third. Trail brake ever so slightly into the turn in. Momentarily dial in some opposite lock and enjoy the rotation through the apex before introducing the throttle pedal’s backside to the floormat to exit cleanly, taking just a short glance in the rearview mirror to appreciate the glorious streaks …
Test Drives2009 Mini John Cooper Works: Better than the original?4.0/5
There are a few hallowed names in the world of automotive tuning. BMW’s M division, Mercedes’ AMG, and Audi’s Quattro may perhaps be the three best known; lusted after for their uninhibited performance and impressive cachet. But for historical value, none can hold a candle to the name affixed to …