Cooper S from Mini - The True Mini

The trendy news for the auto-lovers is that the Mini is back. Mini was last sold here back in 1967, which was an object of pride which changed its own fair share of Americans off the British cars for almost three decades in a row. When it is back, its an extra 24-inche long, 11-inches wider, and heavier by about 1100 pounds.

Photo 1: MINI

Now on roads, the Mini Cooper S started turning heads the same as PT Cruiser or the New Beetle. The genealogy of the car is beguiling. More than 55% of the parts made in Great Britain, another 15% is German technology. Mini Cooper S is a Chrysler-BMW joint venture, the Pentagon engine is made at Brazil, and the final assembling is done at England. The car is now on sales at America through BMW dealers.

Mini has two trims, one the standard version Cooper which has a base price of $16,850. It is powered with a 16-valve 1.6-L engine capable of producing 115 HP. Cooper S is the next, which costs a bit extra as $3000 than standard with inter-cooled, supercharge features. Cooper S produces 163HP tied to a Getrag six-speed transmission.

Photo 2: Cooper S from Mini - The True Mini

Even through the base prices are kept at the low end, the assembly of the vehicle is truly jewel-like. You can find it at the very first view of the delicately curved marker lights on the sides. The window glasses wraps very seductively across the C-pillars. It is a small vehicle, say about 31 inches smaller than a Civic. However, the cockpit is seemingly less claustrophobic for the external length.