The Full Monte

Successful cooking is by no means guaranteed. But get the flavour just right - as the original Mini did with the Monte Carlo Rally-winning Cooper S - and you'll earn the respect of performance enthusiasts across the globe.

And that's something BMW wants badly. Having established itself as a force in the saloon, coupé, off-roader and convertible markets, the German firm is finally ready to unleash in the UK its first attempt at a full-blown hot hatchback - the new MINI Cooper S. With power-packed newcomers such as Honda's Civic Type R and Ford's Focus ST170 locked in battle, things are already pretty hot in the superhatch sector. But the new flagship MINI has a trick up its sleeve. As with Mel Gibson's car in the film Mad Max, the S has a supercharger under its bonnet and the result is much more power.

Whereas the standard Cooper's 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine produces a respectable 115bhp - enough to push the car from 0-60mph in 9.2 seconds and elevate it to 'warm' hatch status - the S's blown 16-valve unit is good for 163bhp at 6,000rpm. Not only does this cut the 0-60mph time to 7.4 seconds and boost top speed to 135mph, it finally delivers what's needed to fully exploit the MINI's talented front-wheel-drive chassis. Flex your right foot and the car surges forward smoothly and progressively. With six closely spaced gear ratios driving the front axles, and such a flexible, lag-free power delivery, the Brazilian-built unit is an immensely enjoyable driver's package.

The car is also more refined than any hot hatch we've ever driven. In traffic, the Cooper S is as docile as a sleeping lion. But when you nudge the gearlever into a lower ratio and drop the hammer, the MINI feels every inch the full-blooded pocket rocket.

Only then does the retro-style four-seater reveal the depth of its ability. The superbly direct steering - which has been sharpened even further to only 2.5 turns lock-to-lock - points the car's nose into bends, clinging fiercely to the road in even the most slippery conditions. The stiffened anti-roll bars, springs and dampers provide excellent mid-bend composure, combining with the extra power to make it easy to use the throttle to adjust the car's line. Fun, fluid and secure, yet with a ride that's supple enough to absorb cracks and potholes, the Cooper S is everything a good hot hatchback should be.

The newcomer's twin-exit exhaust tailpipes, side vents, striking 16-inch alloy wheels and a bonnet scoop that accommodates the supercharger give it a serious dose of attitude. Most importantly, they do so without detracting from the shape that has made the standard MINI such a global success.