European Car Grand PrixThe Most Significant New European-Bred Automobile Of 2002It may be called the Mini, but the editors of european car think BMW's little sport hatch is the Next Big Thing. In fact, we consider it such an immediately satisfying automobile, in both shape and substance, we awarded the Mini Cooper S european car's 2002 Grand Prix.
In many respects, it was an easy decision. The Cooper S is a visceral phenomenon, inviting the eye to explore its beguiling contours and stylish interior, a heady mix of nostalgia and modern materials. The Mini may be small, but it avoids being "cute," and its combination of performance and driveability should appeal equally to both sexes. It's also a dynamic wonder, as fun to drive as it is to look at, bringing a sophisticated level of technology to a segment typically devoid of such efforts.
Awarding our Grand Prix to the Cooper S was also a difficult decision because of the quality of the competition. There simply are no bad cars being issued from the Europeans (at least into America), and most models, even down to the entry level, are so well equipped with road skills and appealing features that most of us would be happy to put any of them in our garages.
Among those many delicious offerings were a few that caused a lot of staff...er, discussion on their suitability as Grand Prix winners. Audi's new A4, for example, is a winning update of the most popular model ever from Ingolstadt. Its 3.0-liter six is smooth and strong, and the optional multitronic gearbox, a new take on the familiar constant velocity transmission, is genuine breakthrough technology.
Jaguar's X-Type sedan is another worthy player, both in the A4's segment and in our Grand Prix considerations. It marks the first time the venerable British car maker has let the hoi polloi into that special "club" of Jaguar owners, and the X-Type's upscale appointments, all-wheel drive and available manual transmission are indeed a tasty combination. It's drawn a good amount of criticism for the very apparent Ford genes evident in and around the car, but there's no denying that no Ford has ever been as suave as this Jag.
Another car which came fully equipped with controversy at its launch is BMW's new 7 Series luxury sedan. It's the closest most of us will get to piloting the Space Shuttle, it's so complex to operate. Still, it feels as though it could handle outer space as well as it does the highway. Enormously proficient at everything it does, the major question seems to be, are we ready for such a car yet?
Two other brand-new contenders come from England, and both are something other than cars. Range Rover's new flagship, built with a bunch of BMW in it, raises the bar for full-size luxury dual-purpose (genuine on- and off-road capabilities) truck-like vehicles. And Land Rover's Freelander promises to be as good on the road as off, being the most car-like vehicle in the Land Rover portfolio.
Other releases for 2002 that aren't exactly brand new but which are notable for the U.S. market include VW's Golf and Jetta models that sport its uprated 180-bhp 1.8-liter turbo engine; Porsche's more powerful 3.6-liter 911; Volvo's all-wheel-drive S60; Saab's thoroughly freshened 9-5; and Audi's A6 station wagon-cum-performance car S6 Avant.
So, why the Mini Cooper S? I'll save the long answer for later in the issue, but the short answer is simple: It makes us smile when we see it; it makes us grin when we drive it; and we laugh with delight thinking about all the good things yet to come from the Mini franchise. Bring it on, BMW. We love it.