Whenever a car company chooses to re-interpret an automotive icon, they risk damaging not only their own reputation, but that of the vehicle which they are trying to honor. When BMW took on the task of creating a new version of the famous Mini Cooper, they approached things with a very serious attitude so as not to risk potentially alienating an entire generation of buyers. The result was the excellent Mini Cooper S, a vehicle which stays true to the original fun spirit of its predecessor and which has become a very popular luxury car rental.

The Mini Cooper S features a turbocharged four cylinder engine that generates 172 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. This might not sound like much, but when wrapped up in the lightweight frame of the Mini Cooper S and connected to the front wheels through a six speed manual or Steptronic automatic transmission, the real fun begins. The Mini Cooper S has a top speed of 139 miles per hour and can reach 60 miles per hour from a standing start in just 6.7 seconds.

Adding another dimension to the Mini Cooper S is the excellent suspension and braking setup. With a wide stance for increased stability, the Mini Cooper S takes to twisty roads like a fish to water. Not only that, but large front brakes combine with electronic braking force distribution to help haul the Mini down from rapid speeds. In combination with dynamic stability control, the Mini Cooper S is quite fleet of foot, able to make rapid transitions at high speeds without so much as breaking a sweat.

Exotic car rental is usually about stepping outside of the norm and embracing a fun driving experience. The Mini Cooper S is designed to not only punch up the fun factor, but also challenge peoples’ perceptions of what a performance car should look like.