Review of the new MINI One

The script with the MINI to date has been quite simple. Whichever model you chose from the entry-level First right through to the fire-breathing Works editions, you were guaranteed a sparkling drive. The latest 'New New' MINI has grown up a little. Does this mean that more power is needed to make the chassis shine? We took the One and put it to the test.

Although the MINI One looks similar to its predecessor, it shares barely any componentry. The philosophy this time round has been to ruthlessly excise all the parts that users felt weren't up to par and to keep the aspects of the MINI that they loved, styling manifestly being one of them.

Although the One's stance remains the same, there's been a loosening of the belt. It's around 50mm longer, the front grille is tidier and the indicators are now housed in the headlight pod. The car's shoulder line is 18mm higher than on the former model, giving the latest version a more hunched, powerful appearance. The One can be identified by its black radiator grille bars, external mirrors and hatch release.

It now uses a 95bhp 1.4-litre engine which offers a useful 5bhp power advantage over the old 1.6-litre unit. Using BMW-sourced Valvetronic variable valve control, it's a very efficient engine. Torque is identical to the old, larger engine, the One capable of a respectable 140Nm, but emissions and fuel economy are far superior. Where the old One managed 41.5mpg, the latest car is good for 49.6mpg - a massive improvement in percentage terms.

"The MINI One is now a far more palatable ownership proposition"

This was one of the key criticisms of the old MINI. No matter which model you opted for - even the diesel - fuel consumption was never particularly great. Go for the supercharged Cooper S and it would drink like a junior supercar. While this might be expected when running such a quick model, feedback from One owners reported a number of gripes about their car's thirst, especially around town. That issue now looks to be well and truly resolved. Performance is brisk, the One getting to 60mph in 10.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 119mph, power being deployed by a six-speed manual gearbox. Emissions of 138g/km also make it cheaper to tax than the old car. Everyone's a winner.

Electromechanical power-assisted steering (EPAS) debuts on this version of the MINI and aims to reduce parking effort (a factor which turned off a proportion of mainly female potential customers) but still retain pinpoint accuracy at speed. Pricing remains competitive with buyers often specifying their cars to their own tastes and spending a good deal more, indulging themselves with options like DSC+ stability control.

More spacious and easier to drive, with more efficient engines and a more customisable interior, the latest MINI range is an impressive achievement. It's come rather quickly too. Most manufacturers tend to wait around six years before replacing a model range, but MINI sales have remained very strong, so it would be understandable had owners BMW held back a year or two before making these wholesale changes. Instead, the revisions came a year earlier than the usual product lifecycle norm in order to put one over on a number of new rivals.

Communicating that this is indeed something novel could well be quite the challenge. It takes a keen eye to spot the bodywork differences, despite this car and its progenitor sharing not one piece of sheet metal. The good news for British industry is that the car will continue to be built at what is now known as Plant Oxford (Cowley to us old timers), this factory's output being upped to 240,000 cars per year, more than double what it was when the first MINIs rolled off its lines in 2001. The body panels and sub assemblies hail from Plant Swindon and the BMW-designed engines roll out of the Hams Hall plant in the Midlands. Despite the German bankrolling, this MINI wears its Union Flags with pride.

It's inside the MINI that more obvious improvements have been wrought. Gone are those indicators that felt like you were snapping a biro every time you used them. The centrally-mounted speedometer now houses entertainment and, if specified, navigation functions. The slimmed-down centre console offers more space in the footwells while the key has been replaced by a round signal sensor that slots next to the steering wheel. A start/stop button is also fitted as standard.

One of the most intriguing, albeit frivolous, aspects of the interior is the optional lights package which features custom ambient illumination. A panel of toggle switches in the roof lining allows the driver to switch the colours of the lights in said roof lining, the door storage pockets and the grab handle recesses. These can be changed at any time in five stages from warm orange to sporting blue, depending on personal taste - quite mad, but undeniably funky. Rear seat space, a big grumble amongst MINI customers, has been improved with recessed knee cut-outs in the fabric-trimmed front seat backs.

The only possible gripe MINI one owners can have is that the price of this car has crept steadily upwards. It's now over £800 more than when it was first launched back in 2001. Okay, so we can take inflation into account, but it's still significant. Aside from that, there's really not a lot to dislike. Better built, more spacious and with a more economical and clean engine, the One proves that when it comes to MINIs there's really no need to target the top of the range.