There are few marques as iconic as the Mini, the little car with a big personality that shot to fame after being used in The Italian Job.
The 1969 British caper film, staring the world’s most infamous Cockney, Sir Michael Cain, is about a heist in which three Minis are able to navigate a city’s gridlock in unconventional ways.
Not only did the movie showcase the prowess of the cars, it also brought the brand a cult following, which is just as prominent today.
Besides their Hollywood history, there are other, more important, reasons for their worldwide adoration … the way they look and handle.
Although the marque has come in many variations over the years, its iconic design is instantly recognisable. The aggresive front end with its short nose, low bonnet and the wrap-around beltline are all distinctive features that make this model look effortlessly cool.
Inside is just as appealing and the model I drove featured two-tone leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls and the biggest speedometer I have ever seen housed within the central stack.
I think the reason behind the gargantuan size of the instrument is that it’s easy to forget how fast you’re going in this car. Luckily there’s no way you can ignore it, because there is also an electronic speedometer behind the wheel.
Sitting close to the ground, these cars have a low centre of gravity, which not only gives the impression you’re travelling faster, it also holds them to the road like glue. Thanks to this phenomenal handling, the Mini delivers a driving experience not easily forgotten.
Despite my best efforts to remember there are two t’s in ‘butter’, as a Londoner, my inner Cockney occasionally comes out and never was it more prevalent than during my day in the Mini. I am under no illusion that I am as cool as Sir Michael, but I certainly felt like it while cruising around Manama in this
Highway driving was a doddle thanks to the rapid acceleration and the manoeuvrability was, in Cockney terminology, blinding! Even stop and go traffic around Exhibitions Avenue was met with ease in this car, smooth and comfortable all the way.
Under the bonnet is a deceptively powerful 1.6-litre engine boasting 122bhp, paired with an automatic transmission.
Many drivers are under the misconception that smaller cars are less safe than a bulking SUV, I’d like to be the first to pop that bubble. Not only does the drive feel sturdy in a Mini, all models come with a plethora of safety features including six standard airbags, stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes and the model I drove scored a five-star rating in the Euro NCAP, regarded as one of the most demanding tests in the world to be applied to new vehicles. It is recognised as a benchmark for crash safety by governments, automobile clubs and consumer protection organisations throughout Europe.
The most famous line in The Italian Job is ‘You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!’ delivered by Sir Michael. Well, this car blew my bloody mind off!
Prices start from BD11,000. For more information, visit the Sitra showroom or call Euro Motors on 17750750.
