What Car? drives the new Mini - What's it like to drive?

We drove the turbocharged Cooper S, which has lost none of the current Mini's go-kart handling. The suspension is firm but comfortable - but the car's ace card is its appetite for corners. It has razor-sharp handling and well-weighted steering which makes it amazingly agile along twisty roads.

The new 1.6 turbo engine has lost the supercharged whine of today's car and some of its punchy shove when accelerating; however, its power delivery is smoother because there is little turbo lag and it's every bit as quick as the old car. This is a very good engine mated to an accurate six-speed manual gearbox.

The cabin has been improved, too, although no interior photographs have been issued yet. Buyers will be able to specify metallic and fabric panels in place of the shiny plastics in the current car and you can even vary the colour of the cabin's night-time lighting from red to blue. The seats are new, too, and the steering wheel now adjusts for reach as well as rake.

Of course, the Mini is still best for two adults and the boot is small. The seat backs have been cleverly redesigned to increase rear legroom and adults can just about fit in for shorter journeys. The boot is 10 litres bigger, too.