MINI’s retro-tastic homage to the original Austin Seven
Introduction
Designed on the back of a paper napkin by Alec Issigonis in 1959, the original Mini – first marketed under the Austin brand as the Austin Seven – was a marvel of packaging, performance and engineering.
Apart from perhaps the Beetle there is no car as instantly recognisable as the Mini, or one as illustrative of the Swinging Sixties, the decade in which it was popularised.
A true British icon, it would go on to be the car which proved that a small, front-wheel drive car could do the job of larger, more powerful cars better than they could, both on the street and on the rally stages.
Nearly six decades later, MINI is funnelling that heritage into the Seven Edition, a retro-tastic new special edition trim which aims to showcase the distinctive elements first pioneered by the original Mini and which lies at the root of the MINI brand today.
Performance
Performance Rating: 5/5
You can have your MINI Seven Edition on any trim you want from the Cooper level upwards, with the car getting the same engines as those models. MINI reckons the 1.5-litre Cooper will be the most popular, but if you’re in pursuit of a bit more power you can opt for the Cooper S version we tested.
Mechanically it’s identical to the regular Cooper S, which means the same 189bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard or the option of a six-speed Steptronic auto.
Our test car came fitted with the do-it-yourself option, and we’re happy to report that the engine is a proper little peach, with a rapid power delivery, quick throttle response and a pleasingly throaty soundtrack from its twin-exit exhaust.
It’s punchy and torquey, launching the car from 0-62mph in just 6.8 seconds and it’ll scamper on to a top speed of 146mph, which outruns its main big-thrills-small-package rival, the Ford Fiesta ST.
The car also features MINI’s driving mode selector, which offers the choice between Sport, Mid and Green modes – Sport having heavier steering and a sharper throttle, Green reducing throttle response to boost economy, and Mid somewhere in the middle.
Swap to Sport via the rotary switch at the base of the gear lever and the car really comes to life. It’s a very easy car to go fast in as it feels like it just dares you on, while Sport also adds a little extra layer of character by allowing the exhaust to crackle when you lift off the throttle.
Ride and Handling
Ride and Handling Rating: 4.5/5
The original Mini would set the bar for driving fun for years to come in the Sixties, and although the name has since evolved from a car into a whole brand, the core driving experience is still there in the Seven Edition.
Just like the standard Cooper S, it’s a hugely entertaining car to drive at all speeds and while some hot hatches require you to push them to their absolute limit in order to wring the best out of them, the MINI is an absolute blast even when you’re just mooching about.
Even hurtling along at relatively sensible speeds the car feels fast and fun, with the lowered and firmed-up suspension making the car extremely agile but not to the point where you’re “OOF”ing over every bump and pothole. Variable dampers are a £375 option which some buyers might like, but the standard passive ones on our test car felt fine over a good mix of surfaces.
By now, the “go-kart feel” line has become a slightly worn cliché, but it still does a hugely appropriate job of summing up just how the Cooper S Seven is to drive. The car practically begs you to throw it around, and will make even the staunchest automotive disbeliever grin with sheer joy.
We can’t comment on the Steptronic automatic, but the manual gearbox is a pleasure to use, with a slick, short throw and perfect placement in the cabin so it falls right to hand as you reach down for it. Pedal placement is also ideal for heel-toe’ing, and although the manual features an automatic rev-matching system you do have the option of turning it off and doing things for yourself.
The steering has a nice weight to it particularly in Sport mode, and although there’s not as much feedback as you might like or might expect it’s really sharp and accurate, able to turn the car in with a moments’ notice and with total precision.
Show it a wide bend and get on the throttle early and it’ll reward with a cheeky little tailwag as it scampers round and then hurtles onwards, snickering out the back as you lift off for each gear change.
Grip and balance are both strong, though it’s easy to overwhelm the front tyres under hard acceleration and it doesn’t quite have the poise of the Fiesta ST when traction starts to run out, but it has a charm and a breadth of dynamic character that escapes the vast majority of fast superminis.
The car practically begs you to throw it around, and will make even the staunchest automotive disbeliever grin with sheer joy.
Did you know?
Today’s modern MINI cars are assembled in Oxford, on the same site where the original Austin Seven Mini was made back in 1959.
Interior and Equipment
Interior and Equipment Rating: 4/5
Although under the skin the Cooper S Seven Edition is pretty much just your standard Cooper S, it’s the interior and exterior updates that set the Seven apart. For a start, it’s available in four colours including the exclusive Lapisluxury Blue, with a unique silver bonnet and comes with part-leather seats that feature tartan cloth inserts as standard.
Each Seven Edition also gets Seven badging inside and out, along with exclusive detailing on the sill plates and the central instrument cluster. Our test car also came with the optional Chilli Pack, which outfits the interior with carbon black detailing and soft leather upholstery for the seats.
Along with the Chilli Pack, optional extras include the choice of special silver bonnet stripes while all the other MINI options packs are available to spec as well.
In terms of ergonomics, although the MINI’s cabin is quite small it’s brilliantly packaged with everything falling to hand just right, though taller drivers might have some issues getting comfortable. The same goes for the rear seats which are the same as the standard MINI Hatch and which are best seen simply as extra storage space rather than fit for use by full-sized humans.
It has the same 211 litre boot as well, which can extend to 731 litres with the rear seats folded down. In terms of practicality it fares pretty poorly against rivals, though this is unlikely to faze anybody looking to buy the Seven Edition specifically as the dimensions are part and parcel of the car.
Cost
Cost Rating: 4/5
Believe it or not, in 1959 the original Mini could be bought for just £497, but the MINI is no longer a cheap car. The Cooper S Seven Edition starts from £21,180, which makes it £2,200 more expensive than the regular Cooper S.
By the time you’ve specced it up with options and various packages the car can become quite pricey when compared to rivals, though MINI’s exceptionally strong resale values mean it shouldn’t depreciate as quickly as other cars.
The car is reasonably efficient too, with MINI claiming it can return up to 48.7mpg with 136g/km of CO2. If economy is an issue but you don’t want to scrimp on performance, there’s also a Cooper D Seven Edition that can return up to 67.3mpg with just 110g/km.
MINI’s exceptionally strong resale values mean it shouldn’t depreciate as quickly as other cars.
Our Verdict
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
There’s no doubting the fact that the MINI Cooper S is a fantastic car, and one that truly bridges the gap between the supermini and the sports car.
In fact, it’s a close call between this car and the Fiesta ST for the title of best hot supermini; the ST’s chassis feels a bit livelier but some may prefer the slightly less tail-happy but still massively fun MINI.
The question is whether buyers will want to spend the extra £2,200 on the Seven Edition, or just opt for the regular Cooper S. Differences are only aesthetic and relatively minor at that, but if you’re a fan of the car and want to own your own piece of modern MINI history, the Cooper S Seven Edition will do you no wrong.
