Mini Cooper S to be launched in India on March 16

Mini has announced that the new Cooper S is going to be launched in India on March 16. The performance-focussed version of the premium hatchback packs over 190 horsepower and will be the fastest car in Mini’s Indian line-up.

The front of the Mini Cooper S features a redesigned black radiator grille with a honeycomb design. The lower bumper gets two large air intakes on both sides for better cooling while the bonnet gets an air scoop. The black roof and the wheel arches protruding out of the side of the car complement the hatchback’s low-slung stance. The Mini Cooper S also sports a host of trademark red ‘S’ logos, which set it apart from the standard variants.

While the previous Mini Cooper S used a 1.6-litre engine, the new model is powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-pot engine, which produces 192bhp and 280Nm of torque. Despite the exceptional power figures, Mini claims that the new Cooper S will return 17kmpl over a combined cycle. The engine comes mated to a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Being a niche car, the Mini Cooper S doesn’t really have any rivals in the Indian market. We expect the new Mini Cooper S to be priced around Rs 5 lakh more than the diesel variants.