Still fresh from its complete 2007 redesign, the 2009 MINI Cooper is making drivers and those it passes smile broadly. It's a fun, sporty, one-of-a-kind subcompact car that utilizes a BMW engine. The news this year stems from the newly available turbocharged Cooper S which cranks out 177 lb-ft of torque from 1600 to 5000 rpm. This makes the Cooper S perform considerable better than its supercharged predecessor. The engine is mated to a 6-speed Getrag transmission.

The aforementioned 2007 redesign marked the beginning of the second generation for the MINI Cooper. While it appears quite similar to the 1st generation, there are still marked differences upon closer inspection. It's a practical vehicle that is ever so fun to command. Its seating is surprisingly comfortable and it actually has quite a lot of useful cargo space as well. It is EPA-rated for fuel economy at 28/37 mpg city/highway - an impressive asset for any car in today's economy.

Inside, it is able to comfortably capacitate four full-grown adults. Even the rear seats have ample room for comfortable journeys. BMW has it well-planned where you are able to dictate several factors for personalization of the interior. You can choose between an impressive array of options for accent panels, trim panels, ambient lighting, electronics, striping kits and upholstery materials/colors.

As in 2008, the 2009 Cooper is available as a 2-door hatchback (called the hardtop), a convertible and the MINI John Cooper Work. There's also a MINI Cooper with an extended wheelbase known as the Clubman. Of course, the trim levels haven't changed. The Cooper and the higher-performing Cooper S are still the only ones available.

The MINI company has always been about minimalism. The original MINI Cooper concept dates back to the early 1950s. Today, with a global oil crisis in full swing and a planetary desire for conservation, the MINI fits in better than ever. The newest designs for the MINI Cooper are sleek - racy looking.

Pricing for the base 2009 Cooper starts at $19,200 and the John Cooper Clubman starts at $31,450 and climbs with optional packages and features added. The basic warranty for all MINI Coopers stays in effect for 4 years or 50,000 miles. The MINI also earned a respectable 4-star safety rating from the NHTSA for frontal crash tests.

Standard safety features include the bulldog-wide MINI stance, 6 airbags with an Air Curtain System, ABS braking, EBD and CBC. Maintenance and roadside assistance are also included with your purchase. Performance suspension and MINI's Dynamic Stability Control system also act to increase ride excellence. Overall, the 2009 MINI Cooper is a fun-to-drive, economical masterpiece that more car companies should look up to. Their small size hides a whole lot of features and performance standards that larger vehicles can only dream about. MINI represents the true spirit of motoring!