New 2010 MINI Cooper S

The best way to make the Mini Cooper better is to make it faster, and that’s just what a turbocharger does for the 2010 Mini Cooper S.

Under the Mini’s hood is a 172-horsepower, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. This little motor provides plenty of zip, and zaps its power through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. All together, the Mini Cooper’s powertrain delivers fuel economy ratings of 23-26 mpg city and 32-34 mpg highway. Fuel economy is much higher than similarly-powered competitors including the Mitsubishi Eclipse (four-cylinder) and Volkswagen New Beetle.

A unique, iconic, compact exterior benefits from one of the most factory-customizable build programs, and comes in hatchback and convertible styles. Celebrate your British heritage with the Union Jack on the roof, or add some racing stripes to let everyone know who will win the trip to the shopping mall. Inside, huge tachometer and speedometer gauges are both easy to see and visually interesting. Interior room is good, with front and rear headroom beating those metrics in the Volkswagen Eos and Mitsubishi Eclipse. Luggage capacity behind the rear seats is scant, but use rear seat room for storage and you get 24 cubic feet.

The Premium Package adds a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a Harman Kardon audio system. For well-engineered fun, the Sport Package includes an electronically-locking differential and 17-inch alloy wheels. Bluetooth connectivity and 50th anniversary Mini appearance upgrades are also available. For smiles and laughs, the Camden package includes the Mission Control System, which features a trio of voices that can offer advice and encouragement for your drive.

Fun is engineered into the structure and suspension of the 2010 Mini Cooper S, so driving is a blast at any speed. The suspension is tuned for smiles, while JCW (John Cooper Works) suspension and brake upgrades are available for even more driving pleasure.

Safety is high for the mighty Mini. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and Corner Brake Control provide excellent stopping power, and Dynamic Stability Control keeps the 2010 Mini Cooper S poised in low-grip situations, so you that you don’t have to find out for yourself that the hatchback model achieves Four- and Five-Star crash test ratings in government testing.

Come get your turbocharged rush and enjoy a fun ride in the 2010 Mini Cooper S.