REVIEW: It’s the most fun you can get out of any MINI on the market today. But is there such a thing as too much fun for its own good?

The initial meeting

At first glance, the new MINI Cooper S Coupe might not exactly be something you’d want parked on your driveway. Facing it, it is slightly odd looking. While all the MINI-esque traits are there to tell you it is one, the ‘coupe’ bit is a little hard to swallow when you first see it.

The first thing you’ll probably notice is its sweeping roof. While it does look like headroom has been compromised severely to accommodate a Smurf, it doesn’t; this coming from someone who’s slightly over 6ft. And the entire car is lower.

The reason for this – as explained by MINI themselves, is to improve the Coupe’s overall performance and handling (lower center of gravity = improved handling).

This certainly gives the MINI a distinguished ‘I’m-here-to-race-and-I’m-not-messing-about’ grin; a point that was later proved by the many jaws that dropped our way every time we were in it, and the endless attempts by other road users to get us into a quick highway dash; Which we won; repeatedly against others in its class. Just saying...

The looks grow on you too; that you hold the keys to something as bold and striking as that was a clear shout in favour of your cool, exciting and brave personality.

But then there’s the price of it; RM 249, 888 is a massive bill to go along with a car that initially seems to have nothing more than a stiff, sporty suspension, some in-car mood lights and just two seats.

And exactly as us, you’d be massively wrong for thinking so. Here’s why...