It took awhile but weekly UK auto magazine Auto Express finally put together a full test of the 2007 MCS. They end up giving it 4.5 stars out of 5, an honor rarely achieved in their pages. Here’s an excerpt:

>The turbocharger spools up almost instantly, and with 260Nm to shift only 1,205kg, we weren’t at all surprised that, at the track, the MINI proved rapid flat-out, and deeply impressive in our in-gear tests. 0-60mph took 6.7 seconds, and 50-70mph in 5th gear just 5.8 seconds. With pulling power peaking at only 1,700rpm, the Cooper S is never caught out on the road – not even a 2.5-litre turbo Ford Focus ST responds as quickly and eagerly. What’s more, no rival can catch the British baby around town. Compact, nippy, responsive, easy to see out of and with a tight turning circle, it ran rings around the opposition. This ability to engage the driver in all situations is the MINI’s key strength. The Cooper S wears its heart on its sleeve, so even though its chassis isn’t as pure and sharp as, say, a Honda Civic Type R, the car is just as much fun over fast cross-country roads.

The full (and highly recommended) article can be read below:

[ MINI Cooper S ] Auto Express