MINI John Cooper Works Part 1: Design Review

Derived from the iconic Austin MINI of the 1960s - not in principle, but in name - the new MINI Cooper borrows something else the original had in spades: charisma. We brought along one of the most charismatic models of the period - an original 1962 Austin Mini - as a gauge of sorts for the most charismatic current MINI, the full-strength John Cooper Works model.

What jumps out at you right away is how different these two cars are. Where one is a truly revolutionary automobile in terms of engineering and layout, the other is a marketing homerun. Where the two converge is that both - for completely different reasons - are highly successful designs.

The modern MINI is already in its second generation. First appearing in the 2001 model year, it was an instant hit. More a premium small car than economy-car, it proved that Americans would pay a premium for a small car if it was compelling. Knowing better than to mess up its great-selling formula, MINI cleverly chose to take an evolutionary approach with the current second generation MINI - known unofficially as the Mk-II.

While the styling is very much evolutionary - so much so that the car has been accused of looking exactly like the old one - the Mk-I and Mk-II BMW-developed MINIs actually do not have a single body panel in common. Admittedly, they look very similar, but with the Mk-I MINI of 2001 looking as good as it still does today, why fix what isn't broken?

Charming from every angle, our John Cooper Works MINI drew smiles and thumbs-up nearly everywhere it went. Surely, part of its appeal is its diminutive size, but there's also great design at work here.

In side view we see the hallmark of all Minis, great proportions. With impossibly short overhangs and large wheels at the extreme corners, the MINI has a dynamic, athletic stance. Prominent MINI cues are found in the powerful fender forms and in the rising shoulder line that together with the subtle taper of the roof gives the MINI its discreet wedge shape. The roof can be had in black, white or body color, giving MINI owners tons of possibilities for personalizing their car.

At the back of the car we see the signature vertical tail lights which are now slightly larger than on the previous model and tapered around the corners of the car. Equally successful are the centrally located exhaust tips and the prominent and functional roof-mounted rear spoiler. Serving no function outside of aesthetics, however, the fake grille on the lower bumper is nearly unacceptable from a company with such great design resources. Obviously, it aims to break-up the surface area of the bumper, but a more honest solution should have surfaced.

At the front, we see the MINI's magnetism in its pleasant, smiling face. Signature design elements include the large headlights, the rounded mirror housings and the full, soft surfacing of the hood and fender forms, all surrounding the corporate grille which is now much cleaner as a one-piece element.

Alluring in inverse proportion to its size, the 2009 MINI John Cooper Works captures the presence and charisma of the Sir Alec Issigonis-designed original and packages it in a modern, compact and premium car that will have you smiling every time you look its way.

Watch the video
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience
Read Part 3: Performance

MINI John Cooper Works

Performance
- Acceleration: Hang on to the wheel and prepare for torque steer! - goes impressively quickly, though, feeling faster than it is
- Handling: Playful rear axle makes this one of the most fun front-wheel-drive cars available... once you turn off the stability control system
- Braking: Brembos don't have to struggle when they're charged with slowing just over 2600 lbs of car

Design
- Exterior: Conservative redesign of the first BMW MINI, but still quite nice - smile inducing and fun to look at
- Interior: An ergonomics nightmare that grows on you with familiarity - quirky design great to look at as well

Utility
- Comfort: Up front, no sweat, in back, less so - back seat ingress/egress not for the inflexible... don't throw out that hip!
- Space: It is called a mini after all - not truly a four-seater if you've also got to put things in it, but again, it's a MINI

Safety
- Dynamics: Eager to shake its butt when you're playing around, but stability control keeps it in check during normal driving - super easy to maneuver around obstacles
- Technology: Airbags galore, stability control, traction control, electronic brake force distribution, yadda, yadda... you can't beat physics though, so don't crash

Value
- Price: The single bad piece of news... "They want how much for a car this small?!!?" Incredibly, though, you'll think it's worth it after you live with it
- Mileage: As usual with turbocharged cars (especially light-weight cars), stay out of the boost and reap the rewards

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Premium feel, spunky character and cheeky design will have you treating it like a pet and loving every bit of it
- Fun to spank: Once you send the stability and traction control systems on a break, fun, fun, fun to be had... for a front-wheel driver anyway

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front-wheel drive
Engine: 1.6 liter, turbocharged inline-4
Power (SAE): 208 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 2000-5300 rpm *on overboost*
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2655 lbs.
0-60 mph: 6.0 sec.
1/4 mile: 14.4 @ 99 mph
Top Speed: 147 mph
Mileage: 26 city / 34 highway
Base Price: $29,200
Competitors: Mazdaspeed3, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si