History has always survived on facts assumed from myths.
Confusing, ain't it so?
Myth says that a small car is-small on looks, small on power, small on torque, small on price, small on performance, small on handling, small on this, small on that....well, it ends up being just a small car after all driving like a washing machine with boat like ride and handling.
Whats BIG, is the fuel efficiency. Its the new BIG. Well, real B-I-G. Sounds like an oxymoron, right?
Small car's fate depends upon two factors-fuel efficiency and cost of maintenance. Just ask any manufacturer and they will be more than willing to raise hands not once, but both of them. Quite a double whammy...ain't it so?
Well, we had enough of farts.
Lets now concentrate on numbers.
Here you go:
Displacement: 1600 cc
Peak power: 184 hp@5500 rpm
Peak torque: 240 NM@1600-5000 rpm
Claimed performance: 0-100 in 7.2s
Kerb weight: 1240 KG (EU standard)
Now raise your eyebrows: Power to weight ratio of 148.38 bhp/tonne.
Price: "ladies and gentlemen"-
only Rs. 30 lakhs onwards.
These are facts, real facts. Sounds maxi?
Well, there's something
minimalistic about it.
Baulking heads would overreact...faint...bash their against the wall in disbelief when they hear that all the figures belong to a sweet LITTLE cuddly small maniacal machine called the MINI COOPER S.
Measuring 3,714 / 1,683 / 1,407 mm (L/W/H) this isn't a car or a caaaar. Its an art. A thoughtfully designed fashion appliance on wheels that showcases a known fact. Small is beautiful.
Guys..you know that small is the new BIG. With that power to weight ratio, a smile is guaranteed. More than the combined width of the pacific ring of fire. Just look at it. The dual colour, classic retro two door hatch looks just about perfect from any angle. Currently in its second generation, BMW designers did a great job of ironing out the niggles of the first and making its strengths even stronger. The model currently on sale underwent a mid life facelift in mid 2011 and was launched at the 2012 auto expo in three bodystyles-hatch, convertible and the rugged psuedo off roading version called the countryman.