Since When Is A Mini Huge?

Since When Is A Mini Huge?

For people who are familiar with European automobiles, they are aware that the Mini Cooper and small cars like it have been around for a while. For those not so familiar with European cars, you probably became aware of the Cooper with movies like The Italian Job in 2003. It was the perfect escape car being small and compact, yet big enough and strong enough to carry a ton of gold-literally! After that, America began its love affair with the new Mini. But how does it compare to its parents?

The Original Mini Cooper

A brief history online by Supercars shares that by 1963 the BMC Competition Department created the Austin Cooper S, and Morris Cooper S. The original Cooper S models had:

·         1071 cc engine with a special nitride steel crankshaft.

·         In 1964 a range of displacements offered included 971 cc and a 1275 cc engines.

·         There were also upgrades that included a:

o    Second gas tank.

o   Larger front disc brakes.

o   Vacuum-assisted brake booster.

o   Offset steel wheels that were widened by 4 ½ inches.

The New Mini Cooper

US News and World Report’s Ranking and Reviews cite the 2013 Mini Cooper as “one of the most fun-to-drive models in its class”. As Mini of Baltimore could tell you, the car has:

·         4 cylinder engines that range from 121-horsepower to 208-horsepower.

·         The EPA records 28/36 mpg fuel economy.

·         Today’s upgrades include:

o   Twin-scroll turbocharger in the John Cooper Works edition.

o   Specially designed exhaust turbine housing.

o   1.6 L 16-valve alloy engine.

o   Wide bulldog stance.

o   Performance suspension.

o   Dynamic stability control.

How Do the New and Old Compare

During their era, both the old and new Mini Coopers became must have style icons for their class of car. But the biggest difference between the two cars is quite simply, the bigness. Measurements from Money Supermarket online reveal that the original Mini Cooper’s dimensions were:

·         6ft, 8 and 5/16th inches long.

·         4ft, 5 and 5/32nd inches tall.

·         4ft, 7 and 1/8th inches wide.

The new Mini Cooper dimensions are:

·         8ft, 1 and ¼ inches long.

·         4ft, 7 and 29/32nd inches tall.

·         5ft, 6 and 17/32nd inches wide.

The Benefits of a Bigger Mini

As the new Mini Cooper model continued to develop models became bigger and bigger including the:

·         Clubman.

·         Paceman.

·         Countryman.

USA Today online reviewed the new “Big Mini” as a “roomy joy”. Writer James Healey went on to speak about the benefits of the bigger Mini. He pointed out:

·         Size- Now good for four adults, or to carry loads of groceries, tote bags, gear, and so on.

·         Comfort- There is extra length, more room inside, and back seats are moveable so you can have more leg room, or larger cargo space.

·         He mentions that the 5-inches-longer wheelbase meant a much smoother ride.

How Does the Mini Fit in Today’s Market?

Even though the new Mini Cooper is bigger, it is still one of the smallest cars out there. In comparison to the Prius, a similar car in its size class, you can see:

·         Prius

o   14ft, 7 inches long.

o   4ft, 9 inches tall.

o   5ft, 7 and ¼ inches wide.

·         Mini Cooper S

o   12ft, 11 inches long.

o   4ft, 8 and 1/3rd inches tall.

o   4ft, 9 and 1/6th inches wide.

The big Mini is a comparable option for buyers who want smaller, more economical cars. But for people who are also looking for something fun, sturdy, sporty, and cool.

Guest post by Becky W.