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Giving it ‘The Works’
It
doesn’t get much better than this. It
is a beautiful sunny dry day with not a cloud in the blue sky and I have just
been handed the keys to S5 Works for a test drive. There isn’t even much traffic , this is what dreams are made
of. So after having a good look at the new showroom whilst waiting for the keys I was off on a jolly in the latest
demonstrator from the new ‘S’ Works HQ.
First
impressions were My god that Dashboard really does look mighty fine. The engine turned finish being a bit of a
throw back to the times of pre-war Bugatti single seater racers and early
single seater Cooper Car Company racers. Racers like the ones that are amongst
other archive pictures that serve as a backdrop to the cars and goodies at the new
showroom. The displays really are very impressive and interesting to look at as
well as appropriate as they remind you of the heritage, race pedigree and
reputation that is what Coopers are all about. If only I was around then when
driving fast was a real challenge and risks were high on the racetrack. No racetrack today though but safe in the
knowledge that the pretensioning seatbelt, side impact bar and airbag will save
me if things were to go horribly pear shaped.
This
is a day of firsts for me as I have not driven a 13” wheeled Cooper before or a
5 speed equipped one. Today I get a
chance to experience both whilst sitting in these supportive and confidence
inspiring Recaro seats. The driving
position feels good and just about right for me. I can not set off though without taking in the features of the
cars interior. Even the glove
compartment shuts with a satisfying clunk. The alloy fitments and the interior
as a whole is set off beautifully by the Claret red seats and panelling.
Driving
off the gearshift is a world apart from mine as the throw is almost
non-existent due to the quickshift gearchange fitted. This might take some
getting used to. Not that I’m complaining. Pulling away slowly it feels very
smooth and subdued. But when I get a clear road ahead and open the cars lungs
it growls into action with real gusto. That induction noise is positively
intoxicating. This car really does have character and a bit of life in it. Up
through the gears it is relentlessly torquey and feels very solid and
stable. After a bit more smile inducing
driving I pull over to the location of
the photo shoot ask very nicely if I can take some pictures. I then try to get
all creative, take some pictures and quietly trundle off to the
roundabout. This time I decide to
really wind it up and let it go and see what she’ll do. This car really does
fly. Revving it above 6000 rpm is unnecessary though as the torque just keeps
coming in every gear. Slowing down due
to traffic gives an opportunity to try out the mid range acceleration. Accelerating from a steady 50 mph progress
again is very good and strong although not immediate and is helped by a brief
blast in third gear. Don’t get me wrong though this car pulls cleanly at most speeds.
Fifth gear is mostly to keep the revs down but if you change up to it at
about 80 mph it surprises me how
quickly the needle seems to sweep round the speedo.
After
exploring the cars handling through a couple of empty dual carriageway
roundabouts I get the impression of very tenacious grip but not of an eminently
chuckable car through the tighter twistier corners tried it out on. On reflection though I think it is an ideal
all rounder as it can cruse very comfortably and la-p up motorway miles with
glee and still show up those boring boxes on wheels that some people call cars.
:
The
brakes are generally very effective and pull up strongly and straight. Although when braking hard from high speeds
it does lack that initial bite that helps to reassure .So to sump it up if you
want a car that looks the business sounds even better and can take nose to tail
driving and long hauls in it’s stride the S Works is the one for you. You might as well sell the stereo though as
the car makes much more entertaining sounds. I’m off to buy a caravan after all
who needs a house when you can have an S Works. Below are some figures, but to
be honest the proof is in the pudding and what a pudding it is.Go and see for
yourself and experience the wander that is the‘S Works’
£14.450
on the road price (as per S5 Works tested)
£12,495
for four speed version with 12” wheels
Leather
interior and upgrades such as Recaro seats are a cost option. For more details
call;
Tel: 01903 784784 Fax: 01903 787722
John
Cooper Garages Ltd
The
Mini Cooper Centre
3
North Lane
East
Preston
West
Sussex
BN16
1BN
H15 FUN : The Reincarnation
Whilst
at the new ‘S’ Works HQ (the Mini Cooper Centre) I acquired some details on the latest form that the flagship demonstrator will take. Based on a
brand new latest spec shell it will sport the ultimate want list of performance
and sport accessory goodies. The colour
will be a dark blue Porsche metallic with a silver metallic roof.
Limo style
chromed sports pack alloys retro style bumper treatment and uprated
suspension adorns the bodywork. At the time of writing the car is merely a
rolling shell with no interior or engine in place. The engine will be an
uprated version of the Works engine with a significant power increase details
of which will be for a later date.
The interior will boast a number of features that will include the latest ‘Carlos Fandango’ Recaro recliner seats that are trimmed in light grey with dark blue buckskin inserts. These seats have the added feature of being fully electrically adjustable. The latest satellite navigation device will help cut journey times and frustration. Other refinements to be included will combine luxury with sporting pedigree. These will be complimented by current features like the engine turned stainless steel dashboard and no doubt some original innovations that will be officially launched at the car’s unveiling. This is likely to be at the 40th birthday celebrations at Silverstone were we could all see the finished car in all its glory. I will bring you more details A.S.A.P and with any luck even a test drive.
Many thanks go out to
Richard De Jong , General Manager of The Mini Cooper Centre for his help and
suggestions. Thanks also go to Ollie
Reed for helping me obtain permission for the photo shoot location also thanks
to pop’s and Malcolm for the lend of cameras for the day.
That's
it for now until next month when I will concentrate on member’s cars. In the meantime ‘keep it real keep it
Cooper’.
Alex
- Super Dooper Mini Cooper Crazed Junky
- Leavey