DriveTech

2006 Mini Cooper S Works can't be beat

I never thought another car could turn me from my beloved Corvette Z06. While I don't own a Z06, I dream about it a lot.

Then I climbed behind the wheel of a 2006 Mini Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Package. Not only did this car fit me like a glove, but I'm still smiling after the lengthy road test. Hard to believe a 1.6-liter supercharged four cylinder would replace a 500 horsepowered V8, but I'm afraid it has.

John Cooper's son, Mike Cooper, developed the Works Mini. Mike Cooper is keeping his father's legacy alive by making British four cylinders scream on and off the track. At Brecht BMW in the Escondido Auto Park you can get a Mini S equipped with the Works Package from the factory or have the kit installed at the dealership. Not many performance kits are covered under the factory warranty, but this one is. How cool is that?

I'm a big fan of the stock Mini Cooper S. I like the interior appointments as well as the fact that there's plenty of room behind the wheel. Adjusting to my driving position was a snap. The Mini's gauges are big and bold, not unlike the original Mini Cooper. The Mini uses toggle switches to operate fog lights, windows, locks and traction control. The toggle switches are lined up in a row and protected by guards - a nice touch.

The shifter is mounted on the floor surrounded by a couple of cup holders (one can be used as a smoking kit). You can also hang a larger cup holder from the passenger side of the dash with a unique mechanism. Above the toggle switches are the climate control circular knobs and above them is the sound system, which is small and compact but has concert quality. Peek into the glove box for a place to hook up your iPod.

My test Mini came with a color-coded shift knob. When it comes to accessories, the Works car has a whole book of items ranging from clothing and car covers plus a lot of trim pieces and a choice of dash treatments, to leather, carbon fiber and badgering, just to name a few.

My test Mini came with a red exterior and a solid black top, plus two black and white hood stripes and a set of matte black double spoke R105 light alloy wheels and red calipers that have the words "Works" inscribed on them. There's no chrome, except for the gas door and the mini emblem on the fenders.

The suspension has been specially tuned for the Works car. In fact, the whole car received the complete package, thanks to years of development on and off the track.

My 80-year-old neighbor, who loves the rolling car show in my driveway, said the Mini looks like Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog." He wanted to know how it drove and what it cost, then asked about fuel mileage. This is coming from a man driving a 1987 Ford Thunderbird! As I drove off, he yelled, "I'm gonna get me one of those hound dogs." I guess the Mini appeals to all ages.

When it comes to fuel mileage, it gets into the mid 30s. Is an automatic transmission available in the Works Mini? I hope not. In fact, I didn't think to ask. This car needs the six-speed manual it comes with for its short shifts that are smooth and precise. There's even a little whistle coming from under the hood, letting the competition know you're coming.

When it comes to cornering, I can't think of another car that would compete. How does it drive normally? Fantastic. Sure, you feel the road and if you happen to get into a bad stretch, you will feel it. But find a smooth ribbon of asphalt and you'll be in heaven.

Stick some vinyl numbers to the doors and you could win just about any sanctioned SCCA event. Peel off the numbers and drive it home with a trophy (depending on your driving skills). Then pick up the kids, head to the grocery store and fill up the back end. The Mini got four stars out of five in the safety crash tests. Plus it has all the other BMW-inspired safety equipment.

If driving has become boring, you need a Mini, even if it isn't a Works Mini.
Check out my test Mini at Brecht BMW in the Escondido Auto Park, which is the only authorized Mini dealer in the county. Not only does it have new models, but there's a good collection of used Minis as well.

One more note before I hit the road in my Works Mini - Mini is three years ahead of its sales projection. What does that tell you?

Next week, I will review a Toyota from Toyota of Carlsbad.