This is a commendably responsive engine, with immediate and serious shove virtually from tickover. Boost is held constant all the way to the upper reaches of the rev range.
So our 0-60mph time of 7.1sec on a very damp and greasy track is a respectable time, and we’ve no doubt on a dry track an S could get near 6.5sec. Yet we miss the old supercharged engine. It might have made a racket, weighed more and punched with less force, but it had one asset the new engine can only dream about: character.
At least the new six-speed gearbox proves an able partner for this engine. But it’s hamstrung by a clumsy gearknob design that means a plastic-chrome ridge digs into your palm.
We never rated the brakes on the old Cooper S. The new brakes feature 294mm ventilated discs up front and are fine in everyday use, although there’s still a feeling that they’re at full stretch too quickly.
BMW wanted to retain the sporting handling of the Mini while responding to requests for lighter steering and improving ride quality. Sure enough, pottering around in a new Cooper S couldn’t be easier or more pleasant. The steering is smooth and light. Even more noticeable is the improvement in ride quality. Our test car wore standard 16in wheels with regular suspension (rather than the optional £130 sports set-up), and it coped admirably with broken town surfacing.
The zestiness that you expect of any Mini is still present in the new S. It changes direction keenly, despite a dose of initial body roll, and skates through corners with the sensation of a mild four-wheel drift. You can trim your chosen line with the throttle to an extent, but it’s surprisingly laid-back after the previous car. The electric power steering is the chief reason why. It’s almost too smooth and grown-up for a dynamic little car such as this. The new Cooper S is a potent ground-coverer – and entertaining – but a dash of involvement has gone missing.