This summer, MINI USA is running a MINI Test Drive Takedown campaign which compares the six MINI models against their competitors. Here at the Library of Motoring we are going to do the same using published facts and figures. Today we have the first of the series.
In the back pages of every issue of Road & Track magazine you’ll find their Road Test Summary. They test mostly performance cars for acceleration, top speed, braking, and handling. In March 2012, they tested both the MINI John Cooper Works Coupe and the MINI Cooper S (Hardtop). The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman was tested in January 2012.
Because handling is what MINIs are well-known for, this summary is focused on that category. Road & Track tests handling on the skidpad and slalom:
HANDLING is quantified two ways: The skidpad measures steady-speed cornering grip around a 200-ft.-diameter circle (run in both directions). The slalom, run through eight cones spaced at 100-ft. intervals, samples both controllability and grip during transient handling.
Significant difference: Skidpad, 0.02 g; slalom, 1.0 mph.
The table below is arranged by slalom speed with the fastest at the top. It includes a sampling of performance cars all costing more than the MINI JCW Coupe’s as-tested price (except for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution SE) and all with much higher horsepower. As you can see from the figures, the MINIs are in impressive company with the JCW Coupe especially standing out in the list.
Road & Track handling test summary
| Make & Model | Price as Tested |
Power, hp |
Torque, lb-ft |
Skidpad, g |
Slalom, mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 GT2 RS | $260,980 | 620 | 516 | 1.02 | 75.9 |
| Nissan GT-R | $95,280 | 545 | 463 | 0.97 | 75.0 |
| Chevrolet Corvette Z06 | $98,010 | 505 | 470 | 1.06 | 74.1 |
| Aston Martin V8 Vantage S | $157,670 | 430 | 361 | 0.97 | 73.7 |
| Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR | $98,110 | 600 | 560 | 1.12 | 73.4 |
| BMW 1 Series M Coupe | $50,460 | 335 | 332 | 0.95 | 73.4 |
| Lotus Evora S | $88,795 | 345 | 295 | 0.99 | 73.1 |
| MINI JCW Coupe | $38,850 | 208 | 192 | 0.91 | 71.8 |
| Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Limited | $39,870 | 305 | 290 | 0.91 | 70.9 |
| Audi TT RS | $61,125 | 360 | 343 | 0.95 | 70.7 |
| Jaguar XKR-S | $132,875 | 542 | 502 | 0.91 | 70.7 |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution SE | $36,550 | 291 | 300 | 0.97 | 70.2 |
| Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SV | $480,325 | 670 | 487 | 0.97 | 70.0 |
| Ford Shelby GT500 | $55,330 | 550 | 510 | 1.01 | 69.9 |
| Nissan Nismo 370Z | $39,540 | 350 | 276 | 0.93 | 69.9 |
| Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport | $2,765,840 | 1184 | 1106 | 0.99 | 69.6 |
| MINI Cooper S | $29,700 | 181 | 177 | 0.90 | 69.4 |
| MINI JCW Clubman | $35,350 | 208 | 192 | 0.87 | 69.3 |
| Ferrari California | $200,822 | 453 | 358 | 0.96 | 69.2 |
| Cheverolet Camaro SS Convertible | $42,180 | 426 | 420 | 0.89 | 68.4 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG | $143,460 | 518 | 465 | 0.89 | 66.6 |
We will have more comparisons in the coming weeks.