2023 MINI Cooper S Resolute Edition | Pretty hot, pretty small

Resolute Edition, what the f*ck is that? We didn’t know, so we went to MINI for the answer. MINI replied: “It’s inspired by our rich design heritage and proud racing heritage. The MINI Resolute Edition models immediately impress with their pure, authentic style and an optimistic attitude. Driven by curiosity and inspired by city vibes, they challenge us to think differently! Refined sporty performance with an unbridled go-kart feeling deeply rooted in our DNA. Style icons, race genes.”

Style icons

MINI is a brand that likes to talk about its history and the style associated with it. That style is extended to our MINI Cooper S 5-doors Resolute Edition. The dark Rebel Green (A tribute to the Cannaught Green on the Austin 1100) combines effortlessly with the sporty Resolute Bronze race lines and contrasting S-sport grill in that same tint. The same contrast is reflected around the modern headlights with round daytime running lights. Moving to the side, the sportiness continues with the small S-logo on the side vents, the well-proportioned waistline, the John Cooper rims, and the contrasting door handles. The Pepper White -we call it: Expired baby milk white- does not contribute at all to the sporty appearance! Just go for Black or Rebel Green, trust us.

The back -just like the front- wears a blacked-out MINI logo which looks extremely fancy on the Rebel Green -for a colorblind person like myself, black-. Furthermore, the Union Jack-styled taillight (‘cause British), dual exhaust, and red S logo stand out. In terms of looks, the competitors -like the Ford Fiesta ST, Volkswagen Polo GTI, and DS 3 Performance- can still learn a lot.

Race genes

This being my first ever MINI -you can call it my “MINI-defloration”-, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The first thing you instantly notice when you drive onto the Belgian roads (For people who never drove on our roads: it’s like a teenage forehead) is how extremely firm the MINI Cooper S is. Literally challenging Abarth for the title of “Master backbreaker”. This usually translates to good handling and… it does. The MINI gives a lot of confidence in the corners and eats asphalt for breakfast thanks to the suspension and great steering feel the MINI gives with a lot of confidence. The car sometimes struggles to keep traction in first and second gear, especially on damp roads. Making the car go into understeer when you push the car too hard, but with some fine-tuning of your feet and lift up oversteer appears. The fun begins. The MINI Cooper S 5-doors Resolute Edition is a small, fun package.

The power source in this MINI Cooper S is the well know 2.0-liter four-cylinder BMW engine. We can enjoy 178 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque sent through a 7-speed automatic gearbox onto the front wheels. A sensitive foot, the gearbox and car in the most sporty setting, and some dry asphalt translate into a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6,7 seconds and believe us, it feels so much faster! The engine is alive when you push it, it likes to be manhandled. And when you do so, the sexy sound of the exhaust and the pull forward is mesmerizing. Push your foot hard to the floor and 235 km/h should appear. A speed we didn’t hit but we believe the car can easily reach.

Consumption-wise, MINI talks about 5,9 liters per 100 kilometers. I did my best, but the number I hit was 8 liters per 100 kilometers. Not bad, considering it was 50/50 sporty and eco-driving. Believe us, it was a difficult task driving in the eco-setting (A bit slow and not as edgy as you want a MINI Cooper S to be).

Style icons 2.0

Or in other words, the interior. We really like and dislike the interior! These two cannot be further apart but are just a few centimeters apart in the MINI. The concept and styling -everyone on this blue planet has got to know- of the MINI is something I really liked. A nice steering wheel, an easy-to-use (But a little bit small) infotainment system and some cool interior lighting that changes when you go into higher RPM or you just adjust the heat. But what did we dislike? The color scheme of this MINI. A GTI interior in a green tint? No thanks.

Room in the car is another odd thing. Like every other smaller hatchback, the inner room isn’t groundbreaking. Why do they make a 5-doors model? I don’t know. The backdoors are extremely tight and the room at the back is just a little bit more than nonexistent.

Wie viele? (German for: How much?)

The starting price of a normal, non-S MINI Cooper 5-doors is 30.000 euros (BE). If you want the S, you will add 4.300 euros. Resolute Edition adds another 2.650 euros. A few other small options will bring you close to the 40K mark.

Conclusion

Driving around in the MINI Cooper S was a real pleasure! I had a fun week with it and felt 10 years younger. If I buy one, it would be a 3-doors without the Resolute Edition-pack. The car would be cheaper, more beautiful, and even more fun. But I can’t, because I’m a 34-year-old man.