Mini Cooper 1.5T 136 CV, test drive (Engine, performance, handling and fuel consumption)

The Mini has been completely redesigned. In this third generation it introduces many new features (the design changes are minor), but in every other respect this is a completely new car that still keeps one principle: driving enjoyment.

The first novelty comes from the new engines, all three-cylinder units except for the Cooper S and Cooper SD versions. The Mini One and Cooper now use a 1.5 Turbo three-cylinder engine producing 102 and 136 CV respectively, and we have tested specifically the petrol Mini Cooper with 136 CV. Can a three-cylinder be fun to drive and sporty? Is the Mini Cooper enough for those looking for driving thrills? We will answer all of this throughout the test.

Engine and performance

Until now the Mini One and Cooper used a 1.6 petrol engine of PSA origin, which did not particularly stand out in performance or fuel economy. But things have changed, and the new Mini Cooper debuts a 1.5 Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine capable of producing 136 CV.

The first thing we notice behind the wheel, as soon as we start, is the nervousness of the engine; it doesn’t have the same smoothness as a four-cylinder, although the sound is good and they have tuned it so it doesn’t sound like a three-cylinder (especially in Sport mode, when it lets out the occasional growl that brings a smile).

That said, it is a performance engine and the turbo is noticeable, letting you enjoy the 136 CV listed on the spec sheet. From 1,500 rpm you already feel the turbo waking up and the car starts pulling, although the strength really arrives at 2,500 rpm, with a forceful and progressive acceleration when pushing.

The combination of engine and six-speed manual gearbox is ideal for getting the most out of the car. The gear lever has a correct feel, with short travel and a system that matches engine revs to the gear, so that downshifting avoids the typical jolt, although in practice it feels odd because it seems not to really downshift. However, if you change gears more quickly this system does not act, and the typical jolts when downshifting become noticeable.

Handling: a go-kart, for better and for worse

Fans of sportiness have every reason to celebrate with the new Mini, even more so if it has the sport suspension option. Our test unit came with MINI Driving Modes (which lets you choose between several driving modes) and with it the adaptive suspension (which changes stiffness depending on the selected mode).

It doesn’t matter whether you select Green mode (eco), Mid mode (intermediate) or Sport: in any of them the suspension is quite firm and not very forgiving of road irregularities. That said, Sport mode makes the car feel like it is literally a go-kart, tracing bends with precision and always with enviable stability.

In fact, with this combination of engine and suspension, the Mini Cooper is a very fun car to enjoy on every road and every corner. It weighs little (1,160 kg), it is very agile, and the precise steering (typical of BMW) means you always keep the car under control and enjoy the drive.

How does it behave in the city? Honestly, if you are thinking of buying a Mini for urban use, better without the adaptive suspension, because otherwise it loses a lot of comfort, even on the road, due to the excessive stiffness. Although, thanks to its dimensions, it is ideal for cities.

Fuel consumption

The new Mini Cooper has improved greatly in this area, while also gaining performance, since the previous generation was neither very economical nor very quick. Specifically, it now consumes 6 litres per 100 km on the motorway (on our usual route), a figure that can drop to 5.5 litres on country roads.

In the city, consumption is around 8 litres per 100 km, all good figures for this engine, making it a genuine alternative to the more expensive diesel (approx. 2,000 euros).

In the third part of the test we will analyse the exterior design (what has changed on the Mini) and the interior, which also has new features, as well as the space and boot.

Photos | Test team