Mini was heavier (1050 v 950kg) and a little less powerful (113 v 120bhp) giving it a less sparkling power-to-weight ratio, and longer gearing further dimmed that sparkle - it ran to 90mph in third. The engine BMW chose to fit didn't zing with enthusiasm either.
Under the clamshell bonnet was the joint venture Tritec or Pentagon 1.6-litre 'four'. This clean-sheet design, developed in conjunction with Chrysler, was an iron-block, single-cam, 16-valve engine built in Brazil. It appeared to offer nothing over the all-aluminium, twin-cam K-series that was built next door to the Mini factory and had already paid back its development costs... except that it fitted under the bonnet. In some markets there was a 1.4-litre Tritec for the Mini One, but in the UK it was the same 1.6 as in the Cooper but fitted with a different ECU that simply restricted the throttle opening to cap power at 90bhp. For a few hundred quid you could get an aftermarket chip that gave full throttle and better-than-Cooper power.
It's been many years since I've sat in an original BMW Mini, and the cockpit that was so amazing back then isn't quite so stunning now. Not because it's a bit worn in places but because Mini cockpits, particularly their facias, have only got more dramatic, the central dial growing from the size of a saucer to the size of a dinner plate. Interior space wasn't the major objective that it was in the classic Mini with its external body seams, but while it's cramped in the rear of an R50 it's roomy up front and the driving position is excellent, with steering wheel, seat and pedals all aligned - not always the case in small cars.
Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
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Denne historien er fra May 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cupra Formentor Abt
It's farewell to the original Cupra Formentor with an Abt-tuned run-out package. It's a quietly excellent car; just a shame about the price...
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
This misguided departure from the French brand's hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
REBIRTH OF AN ICON
The Kalmar 9X9 is a modernday reinterpretation of Porsche's game-changing 959 supercar, with a carbon body and up to 917bhp. And evo is helping to develop it
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
BEST BUYS
FAST FORDS FROM THE CORTINA TO THE ESCORT AND THE FIESTA, Ford is responsible for some of the most popular cars in British history. But alongside these everyday machines it has also produced a stream of desirable driver's cars.
HY AND DRY
The switch to electric power means an early exit for Hyundai N's brilliant ICE hot hatch duo. We go for a farewell drive in the 120 N
SEXY BEAST
The Vanquish name is back for Aston Martin's latest seriesproduction flagship, with a stunning new look and simply brutal performance from an 824bhp twin-turbo V12
THE JOY OF DRIVING
From mastering the everyday commute to unlocking the full potential of your performance car, our new series will help you become safer, more confident and ultimately more skilled behind the wheel
TINY DANCER
You haven't seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven't seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Introducing Vini...
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
Grandaddy to the Temerario and the car that transformed Lamborghini was the brilliant, V10-engined Gallardo. We get reacquainted with a Lambo legend