Auto Express Greatest Drives

Well, nothing really. The Mini is still a cracking hot hatch; it’s just that newer rivals have come along and highlighted one or two chinks in its armour. Chief among these is the ride, which on B-roads, soon becomes wearing due to the combination of suspension and huge 18-inch alloys. It’s far smoother on smaller rims.

That aside, there’s precious little to complain about. In the range-topping (and pricey) GP, the rear seats are replaced with an extra brace bar. But the cabin retains its cheeky charm and the 1.6-litre supercharged motor has been tuned to develop 218bhp. With its 1,100kg kerbweight, no wonder this was the fastest hot hatch – both around the circuit and in a straight line.

The engine pulls consistently across the rev range with even more sound from the rorty exhaust a welcome addition in the cabin. The Mini dives into corners better than ever, and the back end never threatens to come unstuck. It’s an invigorating drive with an alert chassis, strong brakes and accurate steering.

However, unlike the Clio, the GP tends to hop and skip around, so it’s harder work to drive. But Mini fans needn’t worry – a brand new Cooper S is about to be released, and this could put the cat among the pigeons next year.

Text AUTO 192280 to 88833 to download the Mini Cooper S engine ringtone to your phone.

(Service costs 150p per ringtone. Normal operator charges apply. Users must have a GPRS-enabled and compatible handset and be over 16. Support email mobile@dennis.co.uk.)