MINI Cooper S

1 Overview: A little life of luxury. 2 Introducing.......MINI Cooper S. 2.1 1.6-litres of heart and soul. 2.2 Turning heads whilst turning corners 2.3 Supercharged, but super safe 2.4 Supermodel looks. 2.5 Inner qualities. 2.6 A real bright spark. 2.7 Extraordinary equipment. 3 The MINI's birthplace. 4 Premium product for connoisseurs.

Overview:
A little life of luxury : Beautifully packaged performance:

Following the huge impact the new MINI has had on the supermini market, MINI
Cooper S will set a new benchmark in the segment when it goes on sale in June.
At £14,500, MINI Cooper S is astounding value with supercharger and intercooler
technology and great styling tweaks, inside and out, pouring power and luxury
onto the much-loved MINI Cooper.

The MINI has already set the standards amongst small cars for driving dynamics
and agility through its direct steering, long wheelbase, wide track, low centre
of gravity and short overhangs. MINI Cooper S adds a responsive, short-shifting
6-speed gearbox and an extra 48 bhp that makes it a must for the enthusiast.
Specially tuned suspension, drive-by-wire throttle control, a maximum output of
163 bhp and an athletic re-modelled body suggest that the 2002 MINI Cooper S
will live up to the standards set by its older brother back in '63.

1.6-litres of heart and soul:

The power behind the 'S' begins with the standard 1.6-litre MINI engine, but
look under the re-designed bonnet and the similarity ends there.
State-of-the-art supercharger and intercooler technology increases the car's
output to 163 bhp (120 kW) at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 210 Nm at 4000
rpm sees pulling power available throughout the range. MINI Cooper S has a 0-62
time of just 7.4 seconds and the car can accelerate from 50-75 mph in 6.9
seconds, peaking at 135 mph. Fuel consumption remains modest at 33.6 mpg
(combined), or 8.4 litres per 100 km.

The MINI Cooper S soundtrack is a constant reminder of the thrill experienced
behind the wheel. A gutsy sound is tailored specifically to the car through an
increase in the exhaust pipe diameter, a resonator integrated into an
intermediate silencer and the air intake rush produced by the supercharger.

Turning heads whilst turning corners:

MINI Cooper S is the only true driver's car in the supermini segment that hits
the magical figure of over 100 bhp per litre. However, the physical power of
the car relies on its extraordinary chassis and advanced Sports suspension PLUS
system to produce the great drive.

The multi-arm rear axle found on all MINIs is derived from the current BMW 3
Series. With re-enforced anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles and an even
firmer spring and damper set-up on the MINI Cooper S, drivers will experience
handling and driving dynamics unmatched in the small car segment. The stunning
chassis is rounded off with 16-inch light-alloy wheels running on 195/55 R16
tyres as standard, with optional 17-inch wheels on 205/45 R17 tyres really
setting the car apart.

Supercharged, but super safe:

Superb levels of performance and handling are matched by equally impressive
levels of passive and active safety. Disc brakes all round (front ventilated),
ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Cornering Brake Control (CBC),
and Automatic Stability Control with traction control (ASC+T) ensure that under
extreme road conditions, MINI Cooper S stays under control. For the enthusiast
looking to take the car to its limits, ASC+T can be switched off. Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) is also available as an option and MINI Cooper S is the
only car in its class to be fitted as standard with run flat tyres and a tyre
pressure indicator.

A torsional stiffness two to three times that of its nearest competitor aids
driving dynamics, but also provides MINI Cooper S with a very strong passenger
cell that absorbs and distributes crash energy away from the occupants. Front
and side airbags for the driver and passenger offer further protection and BMW
Group's Advanced Head Protection System (AHPS) is also available as an option
and serves both front and rear occupants.

MINI Cooper S comes with an immobiliser and an alarm system (Thatcham category
1) that is triggered by forced entry or any attempt to move the car. Insurance
levels are expected to be very competitive reflecting the impressive levels of
safety and security.
Supermodel looks.

The car is badged with the famous 'S' as a constant reminder to the owner that
this MINI can take on any twists and turns. It can be seen on the side grille,
boot and on the stainless steel door sill and, as with the original Cooper S,
is not the initial to any specific feature of the car - it simply stands for
power, agility and pure driving pleasure.

As you'd expect with the top model in the range, MINI Cooper S stands out from
MINI One and MINI Cooper visually as well as in terms of performance. The
re-modelled bonnet features an impressive air intake scoop that draws air in
and over the intercooler. Body coloured bumpers, black side sills, a
re-designed body-coloured radiator grille and the MINI Cooper S rear roof
spoiler make the car stand out from any angle.

The great looks are highlighted by chrome features, including a chrome-plated
side grille, chrome-plated fuel cap and two chrome-plated tailpipes in the
middle of the rear bumper.

MINI Cooper S is available in eight exterior colours, two of which, Electric
Blue metallic and Dark Silver metallic, are exclusive to the car. The classic
white or black roof and side mirror housings are obviously available on MINI
Cooper S as standard and 16" alloys can also be painted white as a no cost
option. A body coloured roof with black wing mirrors is available as a no cost
option.
Inner qualities.

The impact that MINI's interior styling has had on the market gets a luxurious
tweak in MINI Cooper S. The family's unique design language is emphasised
through high-quality textiles, surfaces, leather and contemporary colour themes.

The brushed aluminium-look trims of the instrument panel and door casings is a
perfect match for the Black Panther or Magnesium Grey door trim and the black
or blue carpets and matching upholstery. Exclusive MINI Cooper S cloth sports
seats come as standard and are also available in cloth/leather or full leather
options. Further leather and stainless steel details exude an air of luxury and
add to the emotional driving experience. The steering wheel and gear stick are
finished in leather and 'S' badged stainless steel doorsill strips remind the
occupants of the great drive as soon as they open the doors.

Extraordinary equipment:

Standard equipment includes four airbags, four disc brakes, ABS, CBC, EBD and
ASC+T traction control, a six-speed manual gearbox, Sports suspension PLUS,
electrohydraulic power steering, 16-inch light-alloy wheels, run flat tyres
with run flat indicator, sports seats, height-adjustable leather steering
wheel, central locking with remote control and alarm, stereo, rev counter,
electric windows, electric wing mirrors and a rear roof spoiler.

Option availability will be staggered over the launch period, but will include
Xenon headlights, Park Distance Control, satellite navigation system, a Harman
Kardon stereo system, 6 disc CD changer and heated windscreen. MINI Cooper S
will also be available with its own Chili pack following the successful launch
of the 'Salt', 'Pepper' and 'Chili' packs on MINI One and MINI Cooper that
provide a selection of options at a more favourable price than if bought
individually.

Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager for MINI in the UK, commented: "MINI
Cooper S is the icing on the cake for us. It has a proud heritage and I know
that the new model will be a deserving car to lead the MINI range. It will
offer a fantastic driving experience with levels of equipment, styling and
head-turning qualities that were missing in the small car market before MINI
came along. It's great to work with an affordable car that is truly desirable
and with over 2,000 orders already at the MINI dealerships we are expecting
MINI Cooper S to lead the brand through a second great year."