In recent years, the hot hatch has become rather rarefied. Both literally and figuratively: RS Renaults and GTi Peugeots are dead, while the likes of Audi and Mercedes chase outputs of 400bhp.
The Mini Cooper has always been a little more down-to-earth. And now, there’s a new one! This generation of the Mini three-door hatch offers a choice between petrol and electricity to power the front wheels, with two variants of each. If you prefer pistons, you can choose between the Cooper C and Cooper S. If battery and motor are more your thing, you can pick the Cooper E and SE models.
The Cooper SE model starts at £34,500 and goes up to £38k if you want the Sport model’s beefier body. It offers 215bhp, can go from 0 to 62mph in 6.7 seconds and has a WLTP range of almost 250 miles. But is it a good hot hatch? Does it still offer the “go-kart” handling that Mini is known for? Over to Top Gear Magazine’s Tom Ford to find out.
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