Walking up to the Mini Cooper S Resolute edition, you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s black

---

Car Reviewed: MINI Cooper S 5-Door Hatch Resolute Edition

---

The car tested here was the five-door hatchback version, but there are also the three-door and convertible variants with petrol or electric power, so both bases covered there. Bronze accents are one of the really cool design features with the Resolute; they blend in beautifully and contrast the Pepper White of the roof and door mirror caps; 18” black Pulse wheels and a satin grey filler cap complete the exterior look.

If you think the exterior looks snazzy, wait until you see the inside. Black Pearl and Light Chequered fabric/leatherette for the sports seats is very retro and just makes you smile every time you open the door. Bronze accents on the dash panel add exclusivity, too. Mini interiors always ooze style and class, but this is one of the best I have seen for a while. Don’t forget the latest generation of the MINI operating system that optimises the quick and intuitive control of vehicle functions, audio programme, communication, navigation and apps. Live widgets on the 8-inch touch display of the central instrument are used to activate each menu item, which you can select by swiping.

Hop on board and enjoy those aforementioned sports seats, which are cosy but comfy; the driving position is spot on, too, and the chrome-edged instrument pod is straightforward and easy to use. Put your foot on the brake pedal and flick the start/stop switch and you’re nearly ready to go; the only decision left is whether to stay fully automatic or change to manual shift mode and use the steering wheel paddles. Perhaps whilst pootling through town, keep it to full auto and the mode switch in normal.

But then, once the national speed limit sign appears, switch to Sport mode and manual shifting for maximum fun. Responses become sharper, but the ride is still compliant enough not ever to be jarring. Round a slow bend, having dropped a couple of gears and there’s the empty straight bit of tar macadam you’ve been waiting for – at this point, turn the stereo off, ‘cos you certainly won’t need it, and then bury the throttle. Hold on for dear life as you hurtle up the road, listening to one of the best car soundtracks ever produced by a humble hatchback. This pocket rocket howls all the way through the rev range, even as you pull on the paddles. As the speed builds and builds, a large grin forms between your ears and a yearning to experience this again. Braking for the next corner is superb, scrubbing off speed effortlessly.

Then you enjoy the roller-skate handling as you snake through a series of corners before another open piece of road appears – pray a tractor doesn’t appear to spoil the fun; when the next village legally slows you down, the noise you just experienced will stay with you, a constant reminder of the capabilities of this wonderful little hatchback, that also doubles as the supermarket shopping car and the school run car and the drive to work via the leisure centre car – you get the idea.

Do you really need figures? Do they matter? Oh, OK then, well, you get a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine that produces 178bhp and 280Nm of torque, enough for a scorch to 60 in just over 6.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 146MPH. Fuel consumption can be as good as 48mpg combined and emissions as low as 134 g/km, so here is a fun, performance car that doesn’t burn too large a hole in your wallet.

Of course, being the five-door version, it’s super practical with rear doors to allow access for child seats and a big enough boot for a week’s shopping or to swallow up golf clubs or kit bags, should you be of a sporty nature. In this day and age, cars need to be fit for purpose and often have multiple roles to fill; character and retro styling are welcome additions in a world full of similarities and humdrumness. If you’ve got around £31,000 in the kitty for the next car and want a slice of British sporting excellence on wheels, look no further than the Mini Cooper S Resolute Edition.