0-62mph in 10.9 seconds is
enough to feel brisk in most
conditions.
The six-speed manual gearbox
helps greatly with the feel and
impression of speed in the One
as it has well-judged ratios to
make the car zippy off the line
for town driving. Steer on to the
motorway and the sixth gear is
ideal for long distance cruising
in reasonable refinement.
The versatility of the
transmission also helps return
a combined economy of
53.3mpg, and on the motorway
you can expect this to increase
to more than 60mpg with
only minimal deference to fuel
consumption.
Also helping the economy is
the Mini's standard Automatic
Engine Start/Stop, which cuts
the engine when the car is
stationary and the driver selects
neutral. As soon as the driver
depresses the clutch pedal to
select first gear, the engine fires
up again ready to drive off.
This saves fuel and helps
reduce emissions, with the
MINI One emitting 128g/km of
carbon dioxide with the six-
speed manual gearbox.
Start/Stop is not available
with the six-speed automatic
transmission, which produces
155g/km of CO
2
and manages
43.5mpg combined economy.
There's a degree of wind noise
at the national speed limit
and the One's suspension can
be jolted by urban potholes,
but overall this MINI is the
most refined of the range
as it benefits from softer-set
suspension to the Cooper
models.
Take the back roads to your
destination instead of the
motorway, though, and the
MINI shows up a whole different
side to its abilities.
It may not be as small as the
original MINI, but in today's
traffic the reborn MINI is still a
compact car and it uses this to
great advantage on narrow and
twisty roads. Where some other
superminis revel in their ever-
increasing size, the MINI is a joy
of nippiness and immediate
reactions to the driver's inputs.
The supple suspension keeps
the MINI pointing exactly where
the driver wants, with standard
DSCT stability and traction
control to ward off any nasties
from slippery surfaces.
Accurate steering with just
the right amount of weight
and feel also endears the MINI
to its driver and the second-
generation MINI One enjoys
a much more natural feel to
its steering than the original
versions that could sometimes
feel a touch dislocated from the
action.
Backing up all of this
affirmative driver appeal is basic
good handling and grip from
the MINI.
MINI ONE: MOTORING
www.ukdic.co.uk
l
THE INSTRUCTOR
FAST
FACTS
Model:
Mini One
Engine:
1.4-litre petrol
Performance:
0-62mph: 10.9 seconds
Top speed:
115mph
CO
2
emissions:
128g/km
Combined fuel consumption:
53.3mpg