To date, all attention on the new MINI has been placed on the Cooper and Cooper S variants. It is naturally understandable as they are the marque's best-sellers and have impressed many, including us.
However, the recent adjustment in the way Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums are categorised has pushed even the 1.6-litre Cooper into Category B.
This is about to change because there has been a minor revolution at the entry-level of the MINI Cooper range. The MINI One used to simply be a detuned Cooper for the past two generations and it never quite hit the mark.
But now MINI is getting serious and is making the MINI One a defined model in its own right with a brand new engine which, in local context, puts the brand back in Category A.
Up close and Personal
It's really hard to play 'Spot The Difference' with the Cooper and the One. If it wasn't for the 'One' badge (that's a cheat code), we would have run out of credits.
Of course other than the badge, squint your eyes, look a little closer and you will realise that the One does without the LED daytime running lights and head lamps seen on the Cooper.
Moving inside the car, the first difference you'll notice from the Cooper is the centre infotainment console. Instead of the huge 8.8-inch screen, the One features a four-line TFT display as standard.
Nonetheless, the giant and colourful MINI LED ring wrapping around it serves as a visual delight, responding and changing to the different modes and functions.
The One is also more comfortable than before, especially for people at the back, thanks to a 28mm increase of the wheelbase over its predecessor that allows for more legroom.
A 211-litre boot capacity is sufficient for all the barang barang. If the need arises, this can be expanded to 731 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Drive
While the old One had a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, the new One has a smaller 1.2-litre three-pot turbocharged powerplant that is developed from the new Cooper's 1.5-litre three-cylinder lump.
Despite being small, there is strong low-end torque and the powerplant has enough in reserve to lug the car along, making the One particularly city-friendly.
This also means that there is no need for the six-speed automatic gearbox to do much hunting (not that there aren't accurate shifts), giving the car the fluidity that was never before experienced in its predecessor. The One also gives you the feeling that you've got more power available when you need it, making the century sprint timing of 10.2 seconds feel much faster in reality.
Like the Cooper and Cooper S, the One comes with MINI Driving Modes as standard too. Three modes - Green, Mid and Sport - are available and each tweaks accelerator response, steering effort and engine acoustics.
While the old One had a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine, the new One has a smaller 1.2-litre three-pot turbocharged powerplant that is developed from the new Cooper's 1.5-litre three-cylinder lump.
Despite being small, there is strong low-end torque and the powerplant has enough in reserve to lug the car along, making the One particularly city-friendly.
This also means that there is no need for the six-speed automatic gearbox to do much hunting (not that there aren't accurate shifts), giving the car the fluidity that was never before experienced in its predecessor. The One also gives you the feeling that you've got more power available when you need it, making the century sprint timing of 10.2 seconds feel much faster in reality.
Like the Cooper and Cooper S, the One comes with MINI Driving Modes as standard too. Three modes - Green, Mid and Sport - are available and each tweaks accelerator response, steering effort and engine acoustics.
In the handling department, the One's well-weighted and quick steering combined with huge grip levels make the car feel planted to the road with confidence and composure, allowing it to excel dynamically.
All that's said and done, while the One is fun and sporty, the ride in it is not by any means crashy or jarring for passengers.
Conclusion
Pairing a smaller engine with a bigger body is rarely a recipe for success, yet MINI has done just that with what could become the most appealing car in its lineup.
The only Category A MINI is equipped decently and yet offers wholesome driving fun at a very attractive price of $123,300 (as of 22nd August 2014).
The MINI One may look a little plain compared to the Cooper S, but at least you've got the option to splash on enhancements if you've cash to spare.
