Performance Review: Mini Cooper S 1.6 - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mini Cooper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mini Cooper S 1.6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Mini Cooper has a 1598cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cooper shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cooper's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1140 kgs (2513 lbs) this makes the Mini Cooper S 1.6 in the same weight category as the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mini Cooper shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 160 bhp (119 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 155 lb-ft (210.1 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mini Cooper you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 (165.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mini Cooper.

The Mini Cooper has a Power to weight ratio of 140.3 bhp per ton and 135.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 Cooper competing with the 2002 BMW 5 Series 540i M-Sport E39 (165.3 bhp per ton) or the 1972 Jaguar E Type 5.3 V12 (165.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mini Cooper generating around 135.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1972 Jaguar XJ 12 5.3 (160.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Lexus GS 350 (160.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Mini Cooper S 1.6 as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Mini Cooper S 1.6 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cooper and the 2009 KIA Borrego 4.6 V8 AWD

When talking about the performance of the Mini Cooper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.51 secs @ 88.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 KIA Borrego 4.6 V8 AWD (15.44 secs), the 1992 Rover 200 220 Coupe Turbo (15.45 secs), and the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX - Blobeye (15.45 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Mini Cooper S 1.6 has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 Cooper equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Mini Cooper S 1.6 then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

2001 Cooper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mini

Car Comparison