The current MINI 3-door model arrived locally for the first time during 2018 and while remaining distinctively a MINI in its design, introduced new styling that would set it apart from the competition. The hatchback is offered in four trim levels, two fitted with a 1.5-litre, turbocharged petrol motor and two fitted with a 2.0-litre, turbocharged petrol engine, each of the units producing different levels of performance.
Related: Top 5 differences between new and pre-June 2018 Mini Convertibles.
More recently MINI introduced the full-electric SE model in two distinct trim levels, however, in this article, we will be focussing our attention on the internal combustion units. As mentioned the MINI 3-door hatch is available in four trim levels and in order of least specified to most, is named; One, Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works (JCW). We will be focussing on the Cooper, Cooper S and JCW variants for this article.
Power
While the MINI Cooper is powered by a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, both the Cooper S and JCW models retain more powerful 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engines.
| MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper S | MINI John Cooper Works | |
| Engine | 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol | 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged petrol |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Power | 100 kW | 141 kW | 170 kW |
| Torque | 220 Nm | 280 Nm | 320 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8s | 6.7s | 6.1s |
| Top speed | 210 | 235 | 246 |
| Fuel consumption | 5.3 L / 100 km | 5.5 L / 100 km | 6.0 L / 100 km |
| CO2 emission | 122 g / km | 125 g / km | 137 g / km |
*This table was compiled with information sourced from www.duoporta.co.za
Exterior
Although all three models have similar design cues overall, small styling features separate each unique derivative. The Cooper comes fitted with a more rounded and reserved front bumper design as well as horizontal grill slats. The Cooper drives on 17-inch alloy wheels, the same size as on the Cooper S model, however, the latter fitted with more sporty iterations.
The Cooper S also incorporate a more aggressive bumper with a more pronounced lower segment. It also sees the use of a 3D mesh grille in place of the horizontal slats. At the rear, the S variant also incorporates a sporty rear bumper with a central dual exhaust in place of the single off-centre unit on the Cooper. Another noteworthy change is the taillamp cluster which on the Cooper is a circular design while on both the S and JCW models feature a configuration inspired by the union jack flag.
The JCW derivative is further improved by the fitment of even more aggressive bumpers upfront and at the rear, both which incorporates additional air ducts. The front sees the grille updated to incorporate additional air intakes while the rear is reconfigured to complement the larger central exhaust outlets. In each corner features model-specific 17-inch alloy wheels and as like with the Cooper S, can be scaled to 18-inch optionally.
Interior
On the interior of the MINI Cooper, customers can expect and analogue instrument cluster fitted in front of the driver, whereas the Cooper S and JCW derivatives incorporate a digital instrument cluster. The interior trim on the Cooper utilises cloth materials and standard plastic panels where you can expect piano black surfaces and leather seats and inlays on the Cooper S models as standard.
The JCW model further bolsters its racing theme with Dinamica and leather-clad seats and inlays. The Cooper offer occupants access to an infotainment system which takes shape as a 6.5-inch screen nestled in the circular centre console. This standard system offers Bluetooth connectivity while the 8.8-inch system which comes standard in the JCW and is optional on the Cooper S provides access to SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, navigation and wireless phone charging.
Conclusion
Comparing the three trim levels are very difficult as there is not only a noticeable change on the exterior styling and on the interior trim levels but also in the power department. While it would be easy to choose the MINI John Cooper Works, it is nearly R100 000 more expensive than the Cooper S. The jump in price between the Cooper and Cooper S variants are just over R80 000 at the time of writing this article.
Given that the Cooper S already come with a lot of stylish trim pieces outside and in, and offer additional comfort items for its occupants. This is the model we would choose and even if you spend some money on additional items on the options list, it is likely that you would still be paying less than you would for the JCW. For this reason, the MINI Cooper S is our winner.
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