Changes in the new Mini in its three versions – 3 door, 5 door and convertible gave me a great opportunity to get in close and personal with a whole range of the cult car, including the exhilarating JCW versions. The new features include LED headlights with matrix function for the high beam (automatic switch off and on of light beams considering oncoming traffic), enhanced efficiency, improved torque and something you will admire if you come from the same land as Mini does – LED rear lights shaped like the Union Jack!

MINI 3-door, MINI 5-door, MINI Convertible: overview of new features

• LED headlights with Matrix function for the high beam. (1.)
• LED rear lights in Union Jack design. (2.)
• New MINI logo (3.), new body finishes, Piano Black exterior.
• New light alloy wheels.
• Extended range of leather trim, interior surfaces (4.) and Colour Lines.
• Unique individualisation with MINI Yours Customised. (5.)
• Further developed engines with enhanced efficiency as well as increased capacity and torque for MINI One and MINI One First. (6.)
• 7-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch, 8-speed Steptronic transmission. (7.)
  • Multifunction steering wheel and radio with 6.5-inch colour screen, USB and Bluetooth interface
  • was standard. (8.)
• Optional radio and navigation systems with touchscreen monitor. (9.)
• Telephony with wireless charging.
• MINI logo projection from the exterior mirror on the driver‘s side. (10.)
• MINI Connected and MINI Connected XL with new functions.

Each Mini model is an absolute icon of customization with up to 7 engine variants being offered for each, including diesels. A detailed look into fuel efficiency and power will accompany individual reviews, as and when it happens. Here I am simply sharing the marvelous experience driving 7 Mini variants back to back for two laps on the 3.15 km segment of Yas Marina Circuit.

Track notes

My first four drives were of the Mini John Cooper Works models – Countryman, Clubman, the Cooper S and the Mini John Cooper Works hatch. The JCW character was the common factor and that character is like a cape that when worn turns the car into a monster – an aggressive, explosive, diminutive monster.

The Mini Cooper S in an electric blue colour displayed exceptional handling. Stamping on the brakes evoked the familiar response of a slithering slow down because the car would try to counteract the panic-like braking. This was rectified by adopting a slightly graduated braking. Smooth and effective; that was the way to go! The Cooper S had an old-style handbrake while the other two had electronic handbrake switch. Where the Cooper S was outdone was in storage – on the console was a narrow armrest that didn’t provide much space within, and even the bins and the dash weren’t much good at that! But then, if storage is your concern, Mini has the Clubman and Countryman built for you!

Mini might not be perfect. But the car can be scooped in and out of corners. The comparison with karting, I believe, comes from the certain rawness of the Mini Cooper vehicles notwithstanding the refinement that BMW has thrust upon the Mini. It is still an adorable wild child.

Each driver who gets out of his current drive in the convoy is supposed to take the wheel of the car standing just behind in the convoy, with the last man coming all the way to take the one in front. This way everyone would get to drive all models. So, getting out of the hatch I found myself in the Mini 5 door. “The meekest of them all,” I thought to myself as the convoy started rolling. Well, it turned out I was right in terms of the acceleration but in terms of picking up and tackling speed, the 5-door was almost as proficient as any but it was also the car that showed the maximum under-steer so far.

The last two models were the Countryman and the JCW version of it. The car was ready to tackle corners and so I slipped the gear-shifter to Sport mode, the power piped up quickly and made the drive more exciting but brought in some under-steer. I thought it was great to follow the Countryman with the JCW, because it was great to see how the ‘M’ division or ‘AMG’ of Mini converts the Mini into a beast changing the dynamics, improving responsiveness and sticking closer to the curves than before. Even without switching to the Sport mode, the power rises quickly like a wave, taking one’s excitement with it!