A MINI with a Maxi Sports Car Soul

A few of my more recent road tests (New Beetle Convertible, Honda

The Checkmate package is a great way of adding visual zest to a fantastic car. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Civic Coupe DX-G and this week's MINI Cooper S Checkmate) have focused on small cars packing big fun factors. In its own unique way each car is entertaining, purposeful and full of character. In which car I'd prefer to greet a sunny day would depend on my mood at the time and the nature of the road that lies ahead; one thing for certain, none of these rides would disappoint, especially when the MINI is a Cooper S Checkmate.

The Checkmate MINI was introduced at the Frankfurt Auto show in late 2005 and was highlighted at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in early January 2006. Its extra "attitude" is available on both the Cooper and Cooper S variants, however Checkmating either MINI adds more than just attitude. 

Although

Included are checkered decals, special wheels and more equipment than usual. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

the limited edition Checkmate package is mostly visual, it includes performance enhancements such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), 17-inch Flame Spoke alloy wheels and front and rear fog lights. Checkerboard side decals, silver bonnet stripes, a silver roof and mirror caps, plus special Checkmate cloth/leather interior trim aggrandize the MINI's bulldog image. My tester was sent further upscale with a Premium Package that added chrome interior adornments, a panoramic glass sunroof, heated front seats, an auto dimming mirror, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights.

Not yet done, this week's ride was also fitted with MINI's Cockpit

Everything you'd ever wish to know about the engine is displayed up front in the dinner-plate sized console display. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Chrono Package, which is more than a fancy way of saying "on-board computer gadgetry." It includes a centre-mounted console display with oil pressure and temperature gauges. Stand-alone options included a traction-boosting limited-slip differential and a sound-boosting Harman Kardon premium audio system. In total, that's a lot of gear for a diminutive 2-door, 4-seat hatchback.

Juxtaposing this diminutive size was the 168-horsepower and 162 foot-pounds of torque growling beneath my Checkmate's short hood. The SOHC, turbocharged Cooper S powder keg displaces a mere, 1.6 litres (98 cu in), but you wouldn't know it. When connected to MINI's slick shifting 6-speed gearbox, it's capable of hurtling the 1,215 kg (2,673 lb) mass of the hot MINI from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. In that brief time the mighty little mill will twice hit its redline of 6,800 rpm while emitting one of the hottest snarls to be found in a stock from-the-factory exhaust system. As well as sounding more "aftermarket" than not, the pipes blat out a wonderful rally car-like popping noise when the right foot is raised, making this powerplant as much fun audibly as it is practically. Drive-by-wire throttle inputs are responded to instantly, often with more punch than anticipated once the tachometer has surpassed 3,000 rpm. The net result is immediate snap off-the-line and decisive passing power at any legal speed.

Of course, some assertive gear mixing is necessary to coax every

6-speeds and a supercharger can make any driver grin given open road. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

scintilla of thrust from the compact mill. Few gearboxes lend themselves to this chore better than the MINI's 6-speed example; shifts are short, notchy and precise with gear ratios that fit properly together and work in harmony with the Cooper S engine. Clutch actuation in my tester was light and progressive, contributing to smooth starts and taut shifts. Once underway, the Cooper S Checkmate takes on a sports car persona. It rides and handles like a high achieving, purpose built sports coupe. The result is a ride that's notably firm. A soothing ride this is not, an incredibly agile ride this is, thanks to the Cooper S sport-plus suspension setup.