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By Jonathan Crouch

The MINI Cooper S Hatch remains as engaging as ever in its latest form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the 3-door 'F66'-era model.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 81

The fourth generation F66-era MINI Cooper S is a properly credible hot hatch, rather than merely a very quick but fashionable urban trinket. Its harder-hitting 2.0-litre engine and a talented chassis deliver plenty of fun as you power to 62mph in 6.6 seconds to the tune of a blissfully cheeky exhaust note. It's a more mature thing too, better built than any of its rivals and with a now far more sophisticated cabin. In short, this car has come of age.

Backgroundword count: 176

The MINI Cooper S has long been an exercise in artful compromise, looking to occupy that sweet spot between the warm-ish Cooper and the wild race-inspired John Cooper Works model. As a result, it's often been the best pick for those who aren't likely to subject their car to a race circuit and instead just want a MINI that's entertainingly quick without incurring huge running costs in the process. That hasn't changed too much with this fourth generation F66-era model, but what lies beneath the skin has. True, under the bonnet, you'll find much the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine as before, but it now puts out a 204hp total that's 25hp up on what went before. More importantly perhaps, we're promised a smarter, better finished car than before - and one that now seems to have a clear run at the supermini-based hot hatch genre now that virtually all of the previous model's key rivals have disappeared. This ought to be many people's ideal expression of go kart-inspired MINI-ness? Is it? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 297

So. What's it like? Slip behind the wheel and at first glance, quite a lot seems to have changed. The new minimalist cabin is completely different and the gear selector's been relocated from the centre console to a panel below the new centre screen. What matters though, is what lies beneath the bonnet: the same four-cylinder 2.0-litre unit as before, but now blessed with 25hp more. Which means 204hp in total (50hp more than the standard Cooper) and 300Nm of torque. Which translates into 62mph in 6.6s en route to 150mph. For reference, that's about the same performance as the all-electric Cooper SE, though this combustion model's top speed is much faster. To disguise the commonality beneath the bonnet, the brand has introduced seven so-called 'MINI Experience' modes - 'Core', 'Green', 'Go-Kart', 'Personal', 'Vibrant', 'Timeless' and 'Balance'. As the names suggest, these do a lot more than just affect steering feel and throttle response, altering cabin colours and graphics. In 'Go-Kart' Mode, there's a focus on MINI's racing DNA; the display and interior as a whole feature the colours anthracite and red, while specific analogue displays for driving dynamics complement this mode inspired by John Cooper Works. Adding to the overall driving experience, this model is equipped with a suspension and damping system designed for precise handing and powerful brakes. What you can't have in this generation model, rather sadly, is a manual gearbox. The previously optional Steptronic 7-speed auto is now non-negotiable but at least comes in sharp-responding 'Sport' form complete with paddles on the steering wheel. One thing this combustion MINI can offer that the Electric version can't quite replicate is really agile handling - because it weighs an awful lot less. Both petrol Coopers tip the scales at the much more than 1.2 tonnes.

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