Motor Trend finding the Best
In a recent issue of Motor Trend they have a great comparison/competition trying to find the best handling car in the US. They are using sensors, gauges and computers with a few different drivers on Laguna Seca to get the results. Follow the links at the bottom for all of the geekery, including video.
Mixed in with the Audi R8, Dodge Viper, Nissan GT-R and BMW M3 (among others) was a 2008 MINI Cooper S. And, considering the crowd it was running it, it did pretty well, scoring 8th overall.
>In the Mini Cooper S (8th place), again we see an adeptly tuned, midpriced front-driver. Though slowest in lane-change responsiveness and step-steer reaction time, the Mini produced a tightly grouped figure-eight tracing and finished midpack in ride quality. Pobst loved its handling balance, noting that the tail will wag helpfully but controllably in turns. “Confidence-inspiring,” was Pobst’s summation.
[ America’s Best Handling Car – Conclusion ] Motortrend.com
Why would they test the Cooper S against the R8, GT-R, Viper, M3, etc. Why not the JCW? Seems like a better fit against the competition.
They compared a stock non-JCW Cooper S to a Nissan GT-R and BMW M3? That was worthwile.
It came in just ahead of the Cobalt SS.
wow!!! Finally recognized, wish they had an R53 though, which has better handling.
Wish they tested it with JCW suspension, or at least sport suspension.
They run a comparison every year with a changing selection. Last year’s included a MINI GP and Lotus (<a href="http://www.motortrend.com/features/112_0706_americas_best_handling_car/index.html" rel="nofollow">LINK</a>).
I really liked the technical evaluation of each car and how it was basically thrown out the window based on Probst’s recommendations.
What set up? Stock? Sport? JCW? My guess is stock which sucks.
I read the whole report and thought it was well done.
Looking at the data and comments, they infer that a non-customized Mini is great for daily driving but not as good as a stock R8 and others for the track.
I believe that is true. Any front engine car will have trouble competing with a mid-engine car.
<blockquote>Though slowest in lane-change responsiveness and step-steer reaction time</blockquote>
Don’t think an R53 would have ranked last in those categories.
<blockquote>They compared a stock non-JCW Cooper S to a Nissan GT-R and BMW M3? </blockquote>
Comletely agree! A JCW with JCW suspension (which doesnt come std on a JCW for some strange reason…cough cough)would have been the only fair comparison given that ALL other cars tested were in thier highest performance factory trim levels.
This invalidates this comparison. Why does Mini give their cars out with stock suspensions for various reports? They always shoot themselves in the foot!
They didn’t test the JCW with the JCW suspension because it would have scored too high.