Exclusively available to the UK is the newly launched performance edition MINI Cooper S Works 210 3-Door Hatch. The BMW Group invited me Sheepdrove Organic Farm and Eco Conference Centre to get to know their brand better.
The MINI Cooper S Works 210 3-Door Hatch Spec
- Entering the range just below the John Cooper Works models but still offering a number of the John Cooper Works features.
- MINI John Cooper Works Pro Tuning Kit boosts power from 192bhp to 210bhp.
- One of the highlights of the new model is that it has a throatier exhaust which is taken from the MINI aftersales product range and fitted by the retailer after registration.
- As well as improving power output, the John Cooper Works Pro Tuning Kit exhaust comes with a Bluetooth® 4.0 controller which allows the driver to activate Track Mode when taking the car off road and onto the track.
MINI Cooper S Works 210 also offers exceptionally high levels of standard equipment including 17” alloy wheels in black and John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit with front and rear bumpers (which also come direct from the John Cooper Works aftersales product range) fitted as standard. For further customisation an extensive list of MINI options are available, including the popular Chili Pack (with LED headlights, LED front fog lights, cloth leather upholstery and multi-function steering wheel) – a customer saving of 17% against buying the individual equipment separately.
What was the The MINI Cooper S Works 210 3-Door Hatch like to drive?
The MINI Cooper S Works 210 3-Door Hatch is fast, fun and easy to drive – whilst also being very stylish. First of all I could completely ensure my driving position was perfect by moving my seat in all directions (forwards, up, reclining) and also the steering wheel.
So I know this seems crazy but I am not really a confident driver and my husband tends to do the driving. I have only driven a diesel car for the last 9 years and a bit anxious about going back to petrol. In fact I was so nervous I think I made the nice guy who was telling me about the car worried when I just had to ask “so which one is the clutch again?” Note I had just driven a manual car for the past couple of hours to get there before this! I didn’t have to worry about the bite – and when I did stall it when I first used it the start stop technology started back up so quickly it just wasn’t an issue.
My nerves vanished immediately though as the MINI Cooper S Works 210 was such a pleasure to drive. In fact I was out in it longer than I intended just because it was so good! It accelerates really well even in the lower gears (it has 6 gears) and the brakes were very responsive. I would say it was a smooth drive whilst still having the benefit of really feeling the road. It also offers both a normal and sports mode – I did see some difference but it didn’t feel as much as in the MINI Cooper Convertible.
The MINI Cooper S Works 210 did so much for me too with automatic lights and heating; there’s also the option of cruise control. I particularly liked the built in Sat Navigation which clearly warned me about the journey ahead, a big clear screen (not taking up half of the windscreen either but in the center dashboard) with maps on too.
Available to order from MINI retailers today with an on the road price from £21,690.
I was invited to a BMW Group Press Event. All opinions are honest and my own.