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A new petrol engine has been fitted to all the standard Mini variants – First, One, Cooper and Cooper S – in all the existing Mini ranges (Hatchback, Convertible and Clubman). The 1.6-litre unit has Valvetronic variable valve timing and a number of features (new oil, engine vacuum and water pumps; better heat management; polished camshaft and bearings) that improve fuel consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In most models, the improvements also mean there’s also more power and torque on tap, with an increased performance as a result. Starting at the bottom of the range, the Mini First has the 1.6-litre engine for the first time (it previously came with a 1.4-litre unit). The 74bhp has been maintained, but there’s now more torque (103lb-ft at 2,500rpm), so 0-62mph is achieved in 13.2 seconds and the top speed is 109mph. It’s the slowest Mini by some distance – and it feels it – but as it’s an entry-level model aimed at young drivers, the lack of power is a positive aspect as they develop their skills at lower speeds. In the Mini One, the new engine increases power to 97bhp at 6,000rpm and torque to 113lb-ft at 3,000rpm: 0-62mph now takes 10.5 seconds (an improvement of 0.4 seconds) and the top speed is 116mph. Although it has more urge than the First, it’s progress is still relatively leisurely, making it ideal for buyers want the image and driving characteristics of a Mini, but aren’t necessarily bothered about making rapid progress on the road. The Cooper’s performance also improves, with an extra 3bhp taking output to 120bhp at 6,000rpm and torque up to 118lb-ft at 4,250rpm, enabling a 0-62mph sprint in 9.1 seconds and a top speed 127mph. It certainly feels more like the kind of nippiness we associate with a Mini: it’s still not exactly quick, but it hustles around town well and there’s enough power avaialable when called upon for most overtaking opportunities on the open road. At the top of the tree is the Cooper S, the pick for the enthusiastic driver. The addition of a twin-scroll turbocharger really ups the performance of the engine significantly, meaning a power increase of 9bhp to 181bhp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 177lb-ft at 1,600-5,000rpm (an overboost facility also increase torque to 192lb-ft for short bursts, when needed). The 0-62mph sprint is therefore dispensed with in seven seconds dead and it tops out at 142mph. It turns the hatch into a rapid little machine that always raises a smile when let loose on a rural road (and away from the invasive photographic instincts of speed cameras). The turbo makes a real difference and it’s incredibly willing: as soon as your foot squeezes the accelerator pedal, there’s an immediate response, wherever you are in the rev range.

There’s little change to the Mini’s trademark go kart-like handling with the addition of the extra power. The steering is still incredibly precise and feelsome, so the car goes exactly where you point it and it changes direction with immediacy and accuracy. The one slight concern is that the extra power in the Cooper S has given it a hint of the torque steer that’s evident in the hot John Cooper Works edition, so you just need to avoid stamping on the throttle too hard and have a firm hold of the steering wheel if you do get a little overenthusiastic. But the Mini is still fantastically agile and well balanced, has grip to spare and is arguably the most rewarding car to drive that’s within the reach of most buyers. Most Mini variants have a perfectly supple, compliant ride that can cope with most of the potholes and dodgy road surfaces we all face on a daily basis. However, the ride quality on the Cooper S has a distinct and obvious tendency to firmness than can border on the harsh, especially if you add the optional sports suspension, bigger wheels and run-flat tyres – although the latest versions of the latter are a marked improvement as tyre technology continues to develop.

The Mini is a very well-built car with a quality feel and a robustness that belies its size. There are tight and consistent panel gaps all over the bodywork and everything feels solid and well screwed together. As a result, Mini has earned itself a good reputation among customers for reliability, scoring well in satisfaction surveys that reflect consumers’ experience of living with a car for a period of time. So, for example, Mini took eighth place in the league table of manufacturers in the most recent JD Power survey, with the Mini itself taking 30th place (out of 100) in the list of models. The one reservation we have would be over some of the switchgear in the Mini Convertible, plus the aperture for the CD player in the centre stack. Made out of flimsy grey plastic, these switches and dials look cheap and rather nasty, undermining Mini’s premium brand values and the stylish design of the car itself.

The latest generation of the Mini has already been crash-tested by EuroNCAP and been awarded five stars for adult occupant protection, three stars for child protection and two stars for pedestrian impact – a good score that places it at the upper end of the spectrum for new cars. The basis for the score is the comprehensive range of active and passive safety features in the Mini, which is only to be expected from a modern car built to BMW’s exacting standards. In addition to six airbags (front, side and curtain), three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and Isofix child seat anchor points, there’s a wide range of electronic aids such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) - which encompasses anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), corner braking control (CBC) - a tyre pressure warning system and crash sensor. In terms of security, there’s a Category 1 alarm and central locking that activates remotely and automatically above 10mph.

There’s plenty of space in the front part of the cabin, with enough head- and legroom for occupants of pretty much all shapes and sizes. The driving position is also very good, with enough adjustability in the seat and steering wheel (plus the large dial containing the rev counter and information display, which is mounted on the steering column). The back isn’t so spacious, though: not only is it tricky to access, thanks to the narrow aperture of the doors, but there’s a severe lack of head and knee-room for adults. Indeed, children can also be cramped in the back if the occupants are even average-sized, and child seats can also be tricky to fit because of those doors. Bootspace isn’t that great either, with just 160 litres on offer with the 50/50 split rear seats in place and 680 litres when folded. Standard equipment levels are decent enough, but you’ll have to pay extra for the option packs if you want useful features such as Bluetooth phone connectivity and full iPod compatibility.

The Mini isn’t the cheapest car in its segment, but the quality and efficiency of the model line-up does tend to set it apart from most of its rivals. So prices start at a fairly reasonable £11,160 for the entry-level First, rising to £12,620 for the One, £13,980 for the Cooper and £17,010 for the range-topping Cooper S. However, it’s all too easy to go mad ticking boxes on the options list, which can result in adding a good £2,000-3,000 to the base price. Mini’s own version of parent company BMW’s EfficientDynamics package of fuel and emissions-saving measures, called Minimalism, has been responsible for the developments in the new engine to reduce running costs even further. So the First, One and Cooper all have the same official fuel economy of 52.3mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 127g/km (costing £90 a year in vehicle excise duty), while the Cooper S is slightly more profligate, burning fuel at a rate of 48.7mpg and emitting 136g/km of CO2 (making VED £110 a year). Servicing costs are also very low if owners sign up for the TLC Service Pack, which costs just £200 for the first five years/50,000 miles, with another £370 for an additional three years/30,00 miles. That means owners can get service cover for eight years/80,000 miles for £570, which is an incredibly good deal. Residuals are also strong, thanks to the desirability of convertible Minis, so expect the One Convertible to retain around 54-57% of its value after three years.

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