You could be forgiven for glancing at this page and not realising the road test is of the all-new Mini, introduced at the start of 2014.
The new car doesn’t look much different (the headlights are more sharply raked, the grille is bigger and so are the rear lights) but don’t let that fool you.
It’s brand new from the tyres up, sitting on the new UKL chassis that will underpin a new generation of front-wheel drive BMWs coming up in the next few years.
The latest version is 100mm longer, 44mm wider and 7mm taller so less mini than before, basically.
And you can hardly blame BMW for doing no more than touch up the car’s looks. Since the modern Mini was introduced it’s been an overwhelming success, with more than 2.5 million sold worldwide.
There’s a selection of new and even more efficient engines. The range kicks off at £13,750 and the sporty Cooper S model I spent a week with costs £18,650.
Its 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 192bhp, enough to bring the 0-62mph time down by 0.2 seconds to 6.8 seconds.
The extra displacement endows it with significantly more torque, meaning it pulls more willingly from lower down the rev range, and is speedier when there’s a full complement of passengers.
Speaking of which, they had better not be too big. The new Mini improves on the old in terms of internal space, but you still wouldn’t want to be taller than around 5’9” if you want to feel comfortable in the back.
The speedo has moved from that low-mounted central dinner-plate to a resting place above the steering column, where you can actually read it.
And the electric window switches have gone from their ludicrous position down by the handbrake to a more sensible location in the doors.
The new seats are more comfortable and adjust well for tall and short drivers although it’s still a bit of a stretch to the steering wheel, meaning those with long legs have to sit a little closer than they might like.
But what is it like to drive? The good news is it’s more mannered than before. While you could take the old Mini on a long motorway journey its firm ride made it something of an ordeal.
While the suspension isn’t much softer here, the longer wheelbase and new chassis lend it greater suppleness, and it’s also less noisy in the cabin.
That would be for naught if it came at the expense of the Mini’s famed “go-kart” handling. The good news is it’s still terrific fun steering is sharp, grip is good, and it feels more agile than anything this side of a Lotus or Caterham.
Despite its near-ubiquity, the Mini has always allowed owners lots of freedom of expression. From colours to roof paint, stripes and stickers, mirror caps, wheels, interior trims and dash garnishes, there are countless ways to configurate your Mini.
So it may look very similar to the previous Mini but it’s better in almost every regard. More room in the cabin and in the boot. More polished road manners. Ride quality has been improved but not at the expense of handling.
The Mini has an even bigger personality.
Price: £18,650
0-62mph: 6.8 seconds
Top speed: 146mph
Fuel economy: 49.6mpg
CO2 emissions: 133g/km