Motortrend
With its low center of gravity and wide stance that moves the wheels to the extreme corners of the car, agile and nimble driving behavior is guaranteed as is that go-kart feeling. The modified structure of the body shell as well as a wide range of safety features, in turn, help to ensure the 2009 MINI meets or exceeds all accident-protection requirements. In a recent NHTSA test, MINI excelled in all aspects with four- and five-star ratings.
Unique appearance: each model series with its striking, distinctive style. The front ends of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S differ through a number of details giving each variant a distinctive appearance. On the MINI Cooper, the lower air intake scoop swings up slightly at either side, creating the impression of a “smiling” car. The grill is formed by three crosswise, chrome-plated ribs and a plastic grid positioned further down, again helping to give the entire front end of the car an elegant and likeable touch.
The front end of the MINI Cooper S is more sporting and dominant in its overall look, with the hood being curved up nearly an inch higher than that of the Cooper to accommodate the turbocharged engine. “And it is a wonderful example of that classic ‘form follows function,’ making it quite typical of MINI,” stated Exterior Designer Marcus Syring. “Authentic design of this kind shows what comes within the car, which is precisely why we have intentionally given the MINI Cooper S an even more powerful and muscular front end.”
The plastic grid within the grill in its chrome surround accentuates this extra size and muscle, the honeycomb-grid pattern taking up the hexagon design of the grill repeated in the lower air intake. As a result, both air intake scoops visualize the power of the turbocharged engine beneath the hood; another sign of distinction on the 2009 MINI Cooper S being the stylized opening in the hood.
MINI Cooper S: turbocharged power unit for maximum driving pleasure. The 1.6-liter turbocharged power unit featured in the MINI Cooper S offers impressive performance on the road. Maximum output of 172 hp and specific output of 109.5 hp/liter are impressive figures for a four-cylinder, light-alloy power unit in this class.
The power unit in the MINI Cooper S achieves its peak output at an engine speed of 5,500 rpm. Maximum torque is 177 lb-ft and is maintained consistently throughout the speed range from 1,600-5,000 rpm. When the engine senses that you are accelerating hard, torque is briefly increased even further to 192 lb-ft by the “overboost” function where an increase in boost pressure (from 0.8 to 1.0 bar) gives the MINI Cooper S even more powerful “punch.” And overboost results exclusively in increased engine torque, not horsepower output.
The MINI Cooper S responds instantaneously to the driver’s commands, accelerating from 0-60 mph comes in 6.7 seconds, and from 50-75 mph in about 5.5 seconds with a manual transmission. The top speed is 139 mph.
Despite their much higher level of dynamic performance and sporting character, both MINIs return superior fuel economy. The MINI Cooper S has a preliminary 2009 EPA fuel economy estimate of 26 City/34 Highway mpg for a combined 29 mpg. The MINI Cooper is even more efficient with a preliminary EPA estimate of 28/37 City/Highway for a combined rating of 32 mpg.
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