How does the BMW MINI Cooper D perform on the winding roads?

Next, let's try driving on a winding road. The engine is in the red zone from around 5200 to 5400 rpm, so naturally, this is not a car that can be driven by turning it. Even so, I put the shift selector to the left, put the car in Sport mode, and stepped on the gas pedal. The car starts off smoothly as usual, and the speed is increasing rapidly.

When left to the control of the AT, it seems to try to drive around 4th gear in almost any situation.Acceleration is adequate in the general speed range.

However, because of the torque, it is regrettable that the needle on the tachometer quickly approaches the red zone when the engine is running at full throttle. As someone who likes to drive on mountain roads with the engine running, I have to admit that I don't like diesel engines.

This is a matter of taste, so it can't be helped.

The brakes also work quite well. And they are easy to control.If I had to name one feature of this car's brakes, I wouldHigh Controllabilitywould be raised. To be honest, this kind of brake is not often seen on domestic cars.

Even sports cars with a certain name value may have perfect stopping power, but this kind ofIn terms of brake feel that is true to the human senses, the Mini has not won.I think that is why it is so nice and enjoyable to be able to control the speed of the car with just one subtle effort of the foot before a curve. Therefore, it is very pleasant and fun to be able to freely control the speed before a curve with just one subtle effort of the foot.

And the most important feature of the Mini is still its handling. The "Mini" is a car that is very easy to drive, with a very smooth ride.go-cart feelingThis is the catchphrase for the Mini, and it certainly makes sense when you drive it on a winding road.

Anyway, neutral steer. That is the only word that comes to mind. At the speed range where you can drive comfortably on winding roads, the steering wheel can be turned just before a corner and left as it is. There is no need to turn the steering wheel up or back halfway through a turn. The steering wheel angle is determined so quickly that it feels good.

The legs, which were thought to be stiff at very low speeds, come to life here. The car rolls lightly and the body tilts slightly outward with a good balance between front and rear. The car stops at a certain point and turns comfortably around the center axis just in front of the armrests inside the car.There is no sense of uneasiness in this cornering at all.It's hard to believe that this is a car with 65-square tires, but it is very stable. It is wonderful.

There is a gentle S-curve at the point where the Arima Corner in Ashi Ari leads to the Juyacho Corner. Here, an unbalanced car would not be able to drive straight and comfortably, but the Mini was able to drive through the S-curve without incident, as if it were passing through a single line.

On the other hand, they were wearing Hankook standard eco tires (KINERGY ECO2), which stick pretty well up to a certain point, but beyond that point, they became a bit uneasy.

Since the chassis performance is superior to the tires, theJust change the tires and put on some more sporty tires and it's just the right balance.I think it will be.

Incidentally, since we are comparing the same BMW group, I wrote a test drive report before.BMW 320d（F30)Comparing the two, first of all, in terms of engine sound quality, the diesel in the Mini felt less diesel-like.

The 320d has more power, as expected, but the suspension is quite different between the original BMW and the Mini.

Generally, BMWs feel more like they're loaded more on the outside front and then they turn...The Mini feels as if the entire body is loaded outward and turns.It is. Even the same manufacturer may have a different flavor for each brand.

General Comments and Afterword

After driving the Mini this time, I realized that it is really important what you are looking for in a car. First of all, in terms of performance, I would not recommend the Mini to those who are looking for fun, revving feeling, sound, and other such things in a car.

However, theVery good car for those who want drivability, feeling, acceleration, and quietness in town.I think it's a great car. It is versatile enough for everything from shopping to long-distance touring, commuting to work and school, and has great handling on winding roads.

In addition, especially in the case of the Mini, it is important not only in terms of these performance aspects, but also whether or not the world view and design of this Mini fits one's own sensibilities. Never talk about a car in terms of catalog values of power, but rather value its unique world view and design.Above all, it is the perfect car for those who find the Mini appealing as a part of their lifestyle and fashion.It is.

I believe that the Mini is not just an industrial product or a means of transportation, but a car that is an item that adds color to our lives.