2014 Mini Cooper S
Front Action
The Mini
made its bones by being different. Now the third-generation Cooper has arrived,
and it's a car even your mother might like. Redesigned from the ground up, the
Mini Cooper/S adds refinement and power. It has matured dramatically since returning
to America in 2002 as a brash ball of fun. Of course, this Mini got bigger, as
redesigned vehicles almost always do. It grew 4.3 inches longer, 1.7 inches
wider, and 0.3 inch taller. Its wheelbase grew 1.1 inches, and its track was
widened. Twelve years ago, the Mini was 143.1 inches long; now it's 151.1.
2014 Mini Cooper S
Side View
While the exterior
stays true to Mini’s looks, designers did add LED head- and tail-lamps, which
include a light ring that serves as a modern-looking daytime running light. The
interior, however, was transformed. For years, Mini's interior looked cheap, as
if Wal-Mart supplied the materials and Waldo placed them. Now, the window and
door lock switches are on the door, the speedometer is behind the steering
wheel, and the big round gauge on the center stack is used to monitor
traditional items such as the stereo, air conditioning, and navigation system.
The optional 8.8-inch display screen on the dash provides an extremely clear
image. Surrounding the big gauge are a series of LED
lights in a tube that change colors depending on the car’s settings.
2014 Mini Cooper S
Interior
The base
model Cooper comes with an extremely smooth 1.5-liter three-cylinder
turbocharged engine that creates 134 hp and 162 lb-ft
of torque, which climbs to 169 when in overboost. The
engine is mated to a six-speed manual or automatic. Mini did not have any autos
available for testing on the three-cylinder engine, but the manual worked
flawlessly with short, smooth throws. The additional power in the Cooper S
gives it a much sportier feel. The new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged
engine creates 189 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque, which
can jump to 221 in overboost. This car gets up and
goes, with Mini saying it will dash from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds with the
automatic.
2014 Mini Cooper S
Turbocharged Engine
The Mini is
no longer raw or gritty. It comes with driver mode selection and a raft of
technology. It rides smoother, provides more power and more efficiency, is
loaded with high-tech features, and even has a little more room.
2014 Mini Cooper S
Rear View
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Specs:
·
Base Price $20,745-$24,395 ·
Vehicle Layout Front-engine, FWD, 4-pass, 2-door hatchback ·
Engines 1.5L/134-hp/162-lb-ft turbocharged DOHC 12-valve I-3;
2.0L/189-hp/207-lb-ft turbocharged OHC 16-valve I-4 ·
Transmissions 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic ·
Curb Weight 2600-2800 lb (mfr) ·
Wheelbase 98.2 in ·
Length x Width x Height 151.1 x 68.0 x 55.7 in ·
0-60 mph 6.4-7.4 sec (mfr est) ·
EPA City/ Hwy Fuel Econ 23-30/37-42/28-34 mpg ·
Energy Cons, City/Hwy 112-147/80-91/98-122 kW-hrs/100
mi ·
CO2 Emissions 0.56-0.70 lb/mi ·
On Sale in U.S. Currently
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