In order to introduce the new VW GTI (Motor Trend's car of the year) Winding Road Magazine pitted it against a MazdaSpeed 3, a Mitsubishi Lancer SST and a 2009 R56 MINI Cooper S. Surprisingly, the MINI which was the oldest design tested, won. Winding Road Magazine squeals,
So the Cooper S seems, on paper, to be the middle child of the group of hot hatches - not terribly exceptional in anyone area. Yet, we can’t help but love it the very most. Why?
For starters the MINI is far and away the most engaging car on the test here. The Mazda may bark louder, but the MINI communicates with the driver via seat and steering wheel. It’s also the only car that feels honestly nimble- though the GTI comes very close. The other two hatches have no problem feeling confident on the road, but we can always tell that they’re fighting their on weight or power at different times. MINI is more like a natural athlete, living within the boundaries of its own considerable ability.
We’ve mentioned the lack of outright power, but MINI’s engine is also the least laggy, with a powerband well suited to dodging and dicing with city traffic.
…the MINI, even after all these years, just comes together to make a more perfect thing than the rest.
[Source: via MotoringFile]
