Mini Cooper 2006 review

But times have changed. The new generation of BMW-developed Minis were developed as prestige models - often the second car for a family who owns a bigger Beemer.

The agile new Mini Cooper and Cooper S arrived in 2002 and have sold strongly.

We have already seen the faster Works specials, but Mini is adding to the appeal with two new special models, Checkmate and Park Lane.

These are effectively trim and equipment packs available on Cooper and Cooper S models and cost an extra $4600.

That means a manual Cooper with either pack costs $34,500 and a supercharged Cooper S with either pack $43,500.

The Checkmate adds special 17-inch alloy wheels, firmer suspension, sports seats, unique checkmate livery, bonnet stripes, unique interior trim and a sunroof.

The Park Lane is all about luxury. It has grey leather seats and a two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Available only in grey, the posh Mini adds climate control airconditioning, extra chrome touches inside and out, Harman/Kardon premium CD sound and 16-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres.

There is nothing revolutionary about the new Mini additions, but their arrival gives us an excuse to go for a spin in the fun little model - we pick the Cooper S Park Lane.

For those who might have missed it, the Cooper S has a supercharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 125kW and 220Nm and is front-wheel drive.

It is 1215kg, which helps it do 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds.

This isn't lightning pace, but straight-line speed is not what the Mini is about. This car is about agility.

An early morning run along the Great Ocean Rd confirms how much fun you can have in the Cooper S.

The hatch is at home on the slippery wet, twisting tarmac. It is great fun to wind up the small engine and tip the Cooper S into the turns.

With the supercharger whining away as it spins up, the Cooper S makes it feel like you are going faster than you really are.

The standard Cooper engine is an ancient four-cylinder with a single overhead camshaft (rather than two) which means it is bit of a slug, but the boosted Cooper S engine is great. The extra torque of the supercharger is the big difference and means you can leave it in third for most of the bends. Its exhaust also emits a snap and crackle when you back off the throttle and let the engine slow - a nice touch.

The front-wheel-drive Cooper S has excellent traction, even on greasy wet tarmac.

Even with a supercharger bolted on, there isn't a mass of power surging to the driven wheels, so you can easily feed in the power as you exit turns.

The six-speed manual does the job, but is a bit cumbersome. You really have to thrust the lever sideways and forward with a lot of force to select reverse and it is easy to get first gear instead.

The ride in the Cooper S Park Lane is firm - expect to get bumped around a fair bit on uneven roads.

It doesn't really spoil the drive, but is out of step with Mini's own description of the car as a "VIP lounge on wheels".

The Mini has four seats, but only the front two have any reasonable legroom. Small children would be OK in the back, but larger passengers would find it a squeeze.

The Park Lane's premium sound system is awesome, the speakers look cool. Boot space is limited, but you can fit in a few bags of shopping.

What it lacks in practicality, the Cooper S makes up for in charm.

It really is one of the most popular cars we have tested and makes a lot of people smile.