I haven't quite forgiven the Cooper S for losing some steering feedback in the transition to full electric power assist, but I came awfully close over the weekend. First things first: I found the "Sport" button behind the shifter (which "causes your Mini to respond even more sportily," says the owner's manual, via quicker reactions to throttle and steering inputs) and took the long way through the canyons to the Loehmann's in Van Nuys. Great fun...
This car is just as playful as the first-gen new Mini with a smidge more usable torque. I like its adjustable attitude. I like shifting it.
Yet, just as with the previous Cooper S, I think I have the most fun hustling it through city traffic. It's light, responsive and unencumbered by extraneous bulk. And that means you can share a metered parallel spot with a Beemer.
Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor @ 2,388 miles
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