Wow! That is the word I uttered while exiting the All-New MINI Coupe S. While I am not the prototypical buyer for this car due to my personal situation (two kids, two dogs, one wife); I am jealous of those that will own this little slice of driving heaven. It bears mentioning that I not a professional driver or writer, but my test drive compels me to share my thoughts and better yet, my feelings of the newest edition to the MINI line of cars.
There is no better test track than driving north on I-35N taking the 635N ramp only to immediately cross three lanes to take the long and winding exit ramp to Merriam Drive. This route allows you to put the car through its paces: handling, acceleration, and braking. After all these are the characteristics you seek when looking to own a roadster. The MINI Coupe S doesn’t disappoint. It shifts smoothly through its 6 speed manual transmission and referring to the Coupes great handling in turns, it is difficult to get unstuck.
Driving under the 635N overpass and turning right to get on 635S you again to experience the acceleration and corner-handling ability the MINI Coupe exhibits, feathering the throttle through the long turn is a breathtaking only to punch in the straight heading back to I-35S and back to Baron MINI.
Surprised heads snapped to look at the Coupe as I passed them with flashes of curious envy as I pressed the pedal further down letting the tuned exhaust let go a classic roadster growl. Come drive this car…you’d be nuts if you didn’t.
