WHAT'S NEW? Well, the eye-catching external stylings, to be exact. The Checkmate is one of three new limited edition MINI designs based on the classic Mini special editions of old.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? The MINI ONE is now available with a limited edition SEVEN trim (red paint, 7-logo, 15in alloys), the Cooper comes with a Park Lane trim (chrome mirror caps, etc) and the car I drove, the MINI Cooper S, can now be bought in Checkmate guise, which roughly means that means that you get a large chequered flag decal down the side, sports seats, a two-tone leather sport steering wheel, 17in Flame Spoke alloys and silver door mirrors.
WHAT'S IT FOR? Showing off.
WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Far more engaging than a game of chess. With a six-speed manual box and the tried and tested chuckability of BMW's New MINI, the Cooper S Checkmate is a whole load of fun. It hugs the road like a squashed fox and accelerates with the kind of pace you'd expect from a little car armed with a supercharger and an intercooler. It hits 62mph in 7.2 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 138mph. At the same time you'll get a combined fuel consumption level of 32.8mph and produce emissions of 207 g/km. The exlusive new look means you're less likely to end up next to one in the car park.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? That it's as subtle as a brick through the windscreen. While the Cooper S has earned a reputation as one of the most stylish little run-arounds on the road, the Checkmate branding takes it to a whole new level of conspicousness. You also need to ask yourself whether it's worth paying an on-the-road price of £17,635, a premium of more than £2,000 on the standard Cooper S price of £15,495. There's also a chance that a new NEW MINI will soon be unveiled in the not-too distant future.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU BUY ONE? Being the kind of person who goes for the chunky FCUK t-shirt logo rather than the subtle style of an expensive top with the branding on the label inside.
WHAT WOULD YOU GIVE IT OUT OF 10? 8/10.
