cooper s

WR TV: 2014 Mini Cooper S

When we got a chance to take the new Mini Cooper and Cooper S for a spin around the back roads of Puerto Rico earlier this year, we were slightly disappointed to learn that our time in the S model would not include a third pedal on the floor. Fortunately, this week we’ve got our hands on the Cooper S with the six speed manual gearbox, which is connected to a twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that generates 184 horsepower and 201lb-ft of torque.

By Winding Road Staff | July 23, 2014
Comfort/Involvement Index: 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe

Besides the carryover powertrains, the Mini Coupe features added structural bracing for a stiffer chassis and better feedback. The result is the best handling Mini outside of the John Cooper Works models. In the bends, the Coupe feels even stiffer, with a quick-rotating nature that is also progressive in the way that it comes on. A revised shape promises better aero, a higher top speed, and fresh looks.

By Brandon Turkus | May 21, 2012
Long-Term Car: Public Perception And The Mini Coupe

The sheer level of attention for this car is more impressive than in any other Mini I’ve driven. People are intrigued by it, because it’s a serious deviation from a shape that’s become quite familiar over the past decade.

By Brandon Turkus | March 21, 2012
Long-Term Car: The Mini’s Snow Tires Get Tested

Finally, we’d have a proper test of our Michelin Primacy Alpin winter tires. I pulled out of work to dry weather on that Friday afternoon, and made it home in record time (people, hearing there was snow on the way, must have ditched work early to avoid a slow-go on the way home). I parked the car, and waited.

By Brandon Turkus | February 25, 2012
Long-Term Car: Our Mini Gets Its Snow Shoes

As Editor-In-Chief Miersma mentioned in the first impressions of our long-term 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe, winter rubber will be a must-have for our loaner. Having arrived with a set of Continental ContiProContacts, we certainly weren’t prepared to tackle even the mild winter we’ve had so far, so the quest began to find a suitable set of snow shoes.

By Brandon Turkus | January 26, 2012
Long Term Car: 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe

With the dawn of a new year just behind us, we decided it was high time we got another long-term tester into the office. This time around, we snagged a 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe for a whopping 366 days. That’s right, we’ll be driving this Mini through the snows of February, the ice of April, the humidity of August, and the changing colors of October, as we take it on road trips both far and wide.

By Brandon Turkus | January 17, 2012
Driven: 2012 Mini Cooper S Coupe

This car takes Mini’s trademark go-kart handling to another level. Minis already deliver the majority of feedback through the suspension, and that is no different on the Coupe. But it’s the way that information is transmitted that really impresses. The two-seater uses a torsion wall, which runs between the seats and trunk, and connects to the B-pillars and rocker panels. This keeps the Coupe structurally rigid, while having the happy effect of transmitting the cars lateral motion right behind the driver’s gluteus maximus. This front-drive Mini delivers an almost mid-engine sensation of feedback, as the majority of weight passes extremely close to the driver.

By Brandon Turkus | September 28, 2011
Blog: 2011 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works vs. The Aftermarket

In terms of engine mods, the JCW features reinforced pistons, a lower compression ratio (10.0:1 versus 10.5:1 in the Cooper S) and more boost (1.3 bar in the JCW, 0.9 bar in the Cooper S) from a larger turbocharger and exhaust manifold. A larger cold-air intake and mass airflow sensor are also fitted to improve throttle response. Finally, a reworked exhaust system produces a genuinely mean sounding note, that barks and burbles on overrun. All that mechanical nonsense means there’s 208 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque (207 pound-feet during overboost) at the disposal of your right foot.

By Brandon Turkus | July 07, 2011
Refreshed: What’s Changed For The 2011 Mini Cooper S

After two to three years on the market, it isn’t unusual to see a manufacturer change some things about a model, no matter how successful it’s been. Such has been the case for the 2011 Mini Cooper S, which sees a host of changes inside, outside, and under the hood. We spent a week with the revised Cooper S to see what impact these changes actually made.

By Brandon Turkus | June 15, 2011
Base Versus Loaded: 2011 Mini Cooper S

We love the Mini Cooper S as a budget driver’s car. It’s quick, communicative, eager to rotate, and economical. But the budget goes out the window when we start playing with the manufacturer’s configuration tool. With the oodles of packages and accessories, we managed to make our Cooper S more costly in options alone than the price of the base car. Have a look.

By John Beltz Snyder | May 18, 2011
First Look: 2012 Mini Cooper S Inspired By Goodwood

Does $400,000 seem just a bit too dear for that shiny new Phantom you spotted at your local Rolls-Royce dealership? We thought so. Thankfully, Mini, Rolls-Royce’s corporate brother and countryman (no pun intended) has an excellent way of delivering the luxury afforded by the Spirit of Ecstasy in a slightly more affordable package. It’s called the Mini Goodwood.

By Brandon Turkus | April 13, 2011
Spy Shots: Mini Cooper S Diesel Offers More Diesel Power

Our spy shooter sent us photos of the more powerful diesel version of the Mini Cooper.

By John Beltz Snyder | December 01, 2009

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