irishcar.com

5 June 2002: The jewel in the MINI crown, the all-new super charged Mini Cooper 'S' was unveiled to the Irish motoring press yesterday. The car, the most powerful in the Mini range, will be launched to the six Mini dealers around the country from June 8. After that it will be officially launched on the Mini website, www.mini.ie

The Mini Cooper S is basically aimed at two groupings, young high earners and the 40+ age group coming back to the Mini. In many cases it will be snapped up as a second, or even third car, in the family.

MINI Ireland is an independent brand within the BMW Group. At the launch Nicola Bissett, Mini marketing manager said the Cooper S ‘has everything it takes to set the benchmark in its class’.

The car comes with a long wheelbase combined with widened racks, lower centre of gravity, sporty and direct steering and a responsive 6-speed gearbox. Powered by a 4-cylinder, 1.6-litre, 163bhp 16V engine the Mini Cooper S can accelerate from 0-100 mph in 7.4 seconds with a maximum speed of 135mph.

It also differs from the Mini Cooper and the Mini in styling - the ‘S’ integrated in the logo on the rear, the big air inlet on the bonnet, a dark gray interior, and aluminium gear knob.

So great has been the interest that it is already a limited edition with all this year’s allocation of 50 units already pre sold.

Special guest at the launch Hubert Schnatterer, marketing manager BMW AG said there is no capacity left to increase production this year so customers ordering now will have to wait until next year for delivery.

BMW chairman Frank A Keane (pictured left above with Billy Riordan, also of BMW) says: “A person can feel very safe in this car, with four disc brakes front ventilated, ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Cornering Brake Control.” It is also the only car in its class to have run flat tyres and run flat indicator fitted as standard.

When taken on a short test drive at the launch yesterday it certainly whetted the appetite for a longer run.

Standard equipment in this flagship model also includes four airbags, traction control, six-speed manual gearbox, Sports PLUS suspension, electrohydraulic power steering, sports seats, central locking with remote control.

With the basic entry level priced at 27,100 euros, expect to pay a top price of around 34,000 euros for all the options. These include a Navtech navigation system, PDC park Distance Control, automatic climate control and Xenon headlights, as well as a choice of interior trim and materials.

Purchased individually and not through the ‘Chilli’ option package expect to pay 140 euros for a CD Drive, 420 euros for an alarm system with Remote Control and 1,240 euros for air conditioning.

Customers can choose from eight different colours, two of which are exclusive to the Cooper S. These are Electric Blue and Dark Silver. The Mini Cooper S can be bought at selected BMW dealerships including Maxwell Motors Limited, Blackrock; N Conlan & Sons, Rathangan; Kevin O'Leary Motorgroup; Barry Motors, Galway; Boland's in Waterford City; and Graham Motors.

Motor Import Ltd expect to move over 400 units in the Mini range this year. A 1.4-diesel engine is expected next year. Pictured at the launch were Nicola Bissett and Clare O'Neill of Motor Import Ltd.