MSN Autos gives us their take on the upcoming MINI.
>Get ready for the second coming! Four and a half years after it first took America by storm, the second-generation new MINI has made its first appearance in Europe, and as night follows day, that means the latest version of the first small car ever to win the North American Car of the Year title will soon be crossing the ocean to a MINI dealer near you. And you’d better believe, it’s better than it ever was—in every way.
They didn’t seem to be too impressed with the Cooper.
>Let’s tell you about the Cooper first, because it’s there—but it probably won’t be the one you want. Its new 1.6-liter engine now comes from BMW in the UK rather than from Chrysler in Brazil and it’s far more modern and high-tech, including BMW’s brilliant variable valve timing technology. It’s also miles smoother and more refined, and in the case of the Cooper (which is entry level even in Europe until they launch a new MINI One and a new MINI Diesel some time next year) it gains 5 horsepower to take it to 120 , with a useful increase in flexibility.
Not surprisingly, they had some great words for the MCS.
>Now let’s face it, if you really want to experience MINI rather than MINI Lite, it has to be the new Cooper S, and now we’re talking a very different game indeed—very different from the “ordinary” Cooper, and very different even from the old new Cooper S.
[ Preview – 2007 MINI Cooper ] MSN Autos
MSN has become elitist S-holes! I have 3 words for the MCS: Fake, Bonnet, and Scoop
It’s been 47 years since Job 1.
Otherwise a very good review which leaves me optimistic.
<blockquote>
James Nov 16th, 2006 Link
MSN has become elitist S-holes! I have 3 words for the MCS: Fake, Bonnet Scoop.</blockquote>
(Well sort of a quote.)
Yeah, welding a plate and painting the hood would be in order to making the MCS right.
“Yeah, welding a plate and painting the hood would be in order to making the MCS right.”
No, modifyiny the hood scoop to add air to the intake would make it right. I’m sure it will be done.
But they didn’t call it a “base” Coooper. “Ordinary” and “mere”, but not “base.” 🙂
I’ve been concerned about the turbo-charger lag and this review seems to downplay it. I’ll still be interested to check it out.
OMG… The FAKE HOOD SCOOPS are coming! The FAKE HOOD SCOOPS are coming! The FAKE HOOD SCOOPS are coming! The FAKE HOOD SCOOPS are coming! The FAKE HOOD SCOOPS are coming! The FAKE HOOD SCOOPS are coming! WTF?! Give it up.
Run for your lives!!!! <strong>:¬-</strong>
It is okay that it’s a fake hood scoop. It will lead the way for a really cool ram air induction port.
ALTA, m7, Randy Webb, are you guys listening?
I’m sure they’re already on that…
And the non-functional fender side air vents, and the “sticker” on the rear under bumper facia, pretending to be an air flow-through panel on the current MCS aren’t fake, or the “for looks only” pretend brake cooling duct ports on the current GP front bumper facia aren’t fake???? Sorry, current MINI’s have just as much in the “cosmetic only” design features department.
I’m still betting on that scoop going functional on the factory buildt JCW.
I’d love it if there was a no-charge option of replacing the S hood with the Cooper hood. So the people who want the S, but hate the fake scoop can get something that sits well with them.
You guys need to quit bleating over the hood scoop, which does not bother me in the least, and concentrate on what really matters, which is how the new car drives! Every report I have read seems to indicate that it is improved without losing any of the go-cart feel. I will miss the supercharger whine, but if the turbo is faster, gets better mileage and is quieter and more refined, what is there to whine about?
<blockquote>Run for your lives!!!! :¬-,
You guys need to quit bleating over the hood scoop, which does not bother me in the least, and concentrate on what really matters, which is how the new car drives! Every report I have read seems to indicate that it is improved without losing any of the go-cart feel. I will miss the supercharger whine, but if the turbo is faster, gets better mileage and is quieter and more refined, what is there to whine about?</blockquote>
I don’t think it’s “whining” so much as disappointment in the fact that MINI has established it self as a functional sporty automobile. The decision to go with the scoop on the super charged cars made sense. At first I didn’t care for it as it took away from the original lines.
Now BMW can remove it and bring the car back to its original form but they chose to, in my opinion, cheapen the functional form of one of the hottest cars to hit the road in years.
Some MINI owners just don’t like it. So what. Good for them. Some like it or it doesn’t matter. Good for them too.
That said I have to agree that I don’t want the design quality of my MINI being confused with that of a “79” Camero.
So once again if you can not with stand others opinions in a positive adult discussion keep the your negative personal attacks on people you may or may not know for your own website or blog.
From my point of view you, negative posters, are the whiners. You just cannot resist the opportunity to cut someone else’s opinion in a childish and negative way.
Remember, Happy Motoring?
Well i think that this hype on the hood scoop being fake is just that, a hype. I’m pretty sure that as soon as they will drive the car, all the fuss will be forgotten.
On the other hand, you could make a point to say that the hood scoop, although not used to cool the intercooler, still cools the engine right?
Or is the hood scoop closed?
The scoop is closed.
Which leads me to ask if you remove it is there even a hole under it?
I think the entire issue could easily be resolved by completely eliminating the scoop (fake or otherwise) by using the standard Cooper hood/bonnet. It epitomizes the essential design vs. the real and/or faux “boy racer look” that MINI’s parent company eschewed for the M3 as it evolved into a less ostentatious and more purposeful design.
Conversely, if MINI opted to incorporate louvered hood vents to permit turbo heat evacuation it would be both low key and functional. In general though the entire “pedestrian bonnet” aesthetic sucks! I will never grow accustomed to the bloated, fat nosed new MINI. Even the headlights look oddly askew in profile. The old design is by far superior and should have been retained to retain and grow an enthusiastic customer base. The ’07 is destined to generate controversy and disfavor among those of us who recognize and appreciate superior design.
IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE SCOOP BUY A COOPER! GAWD, ENOUGH WITH THE F’N SCOOP ALREADY.
<blockquote>IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE SCOOP BUY A COOPER! GAWD, ENOUGH WITH THE F’N SCOOP ALREADY.</blockquote>
It’s so sad that it got to you that much.
<blockquote>James Nov 16th, 2006 Link
MSN has become elitist S-holes! I have 3 words for the MCS: Fake, Bonnet, and Scoop</blockquote>
Not so fast James – all of the ridicule of the non-functional MCS hood scoop may be unfounded. Miniusa webpage: Facts, Features & Specs; MCS; Pricing & Full Equipment List; Performance & Efficiency; Hood Scoop Air-Intake; details states “Like any performance vehicle worth its metal, the MINI Cooper S features an air-intake scoop in the bonnet that, besides looking bad-ass, helps provide ample airflow to the powerful turbocharged engine. Helping everything stay perfectly cool for optimum performance.â€ÂÂ
Pogo,
I’ve seen video proof.
It is not a functional intake/scoop from the factory!
It is just a piece of plastic.