First Drive: Updated Mini hatch remains as much fun as ever

What is it?

What’s new?

The only way this new Mini could shout about its British heritage more is if the horn played ‘Jerusalem’. The latest car is absolutely covered in Union Jacks, with the new LED taillights the boldest implementation of this.
Elsewhere, changes are relatively small. UK cars now get full LED headlights as standard, with an unbroken ring of LEDs functioning as daytime running lights. Mini’s new, simpler logo features throughout, and inside there are a few tech upgrades. Personalisation has been ramped up, too, with the Mini Yours program giving buyers unprecedented levels of control over what their car looks like.

What’s under the bonnet?

What’s it like to drive?

The Mini sticks to the road like glue in hard cornering – Mini says it handles ‘like a go-kart’ and has been trading on this since the brand was reborn in 2001. It’s fantastically entertaining on a twisty road, and the relatively stiff suspension ensures the car remains flat in cornering.
The steering is nicely weighted – albeit slightly too heavy in ‘Sport’ mode, and offers bags of feedback. It’s not a match for really hardcore hot hatches such as the Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport, but it walks all over the likes of the Audi S1 or Volkswagen Polo GTI.
That stiff suspension does mean the ride isn’t ideal for longer journeys, though. The Mini doesn’t exactly crash into bumps and potholes – it sort of bounces over them instead, courtesy of its short wheelbase.

How does it look?

What’s it like inside?

What’s the spec like?

Verdict

Facts at a glance

Model: Mini hatch
Base price: £15,900
Model as tested: Mini Cooper S 3dr hatch
Price: £20,630
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol
Power (bhp): 189
Torque (Nm): 300
Max speed (mph): 146
0-60mph: 6.6 seconds
MPG (combined): 47.1
Emissions (g/km): 138