2006 MINI Cooper S Handling
A Go-Kart Performer

Agility and direct handling are two of the characteristics shared by all models in the MINI range. Benefiting from sport tuned suspension, 2006 MINI Cooper S is tailored even more directly to the requirements of the dedicated motorist, offering impressive handling and performance on both twisting roads and long, fast highways. The Sports Plus suspension comes with reinforced anti-roll bars and firmer springs than the Sports suspension standard on the MINI Cooper.

The suspension set-up on 2006 MINI Cooper S has been designed to deliver the brand's legendary road-holding capabilities and razor-sharp turn-in. McPherson spring struts up front and a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension with a reinforced stabilizer bar are unique in a car this size. This set-up ensures optimum road holding at all times. The very direct electro hydraulic steering (only 2.5 turns lock to lock) provides the go-kart like handling that MINI fans have always enjoyed. 

For superb directional stability, both drive shafts on the car are of equal length, thus significantly reducing torque steer under hard acceleration, cornering, and braking.

To optimize 2006 MINI Cooper S' handling and performance in all conditions the car comes standard not only with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), but also with Traction Control which may be deactivated by the driver. DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is also available as an option.

Traction Control ensures that the extra power to the front wheels is conveyed safely to the road at all times. The system uses the ABS sensors to detect any wheel slippage, automatically cutting power to any spinning wheel until it grips again. It also works under deceleration on a slippery surface if a wheel approaches lock-up due to engine braking. In this instance power is gently fed to that wheel to get it rolling again and so control is regained.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is an even more advanced system. It works to maintain cornering stability at all times, not just under braking. It adjusts the attitude of the car through automatic brake applications to individual wheels.

Cornering Braking Control (CBC) tempers the natural tendency for a car to become unstable at the rear if the brakes are applied heavily while cornering. The system recognizes that the car is cornering and feeds more braking force to the outside front wheel and counteracts potential oversteer. Additionally, more effective braking force can be fed to the rear brakes slowing the car as fast as possible with maximum stability.

The agile suspension is rounded off by 16-inch light-alloy wheels running on 195/55 R 16 run-flat all-season tires fitted as standard. As an option 2006 MINI Cooper S may also be fitted with 205/45 R17 or optional all season runflat tires running on striking 17-inch S-Lite wheels.



2006 MINI Cooper S Safety
Sets New Small Car Standards

2006 MINI Cooper S' control systems such as ABS, EBD CBC and optional DSC not only improve handling and stability for motoring enjoyment but also provide the car with stability and predictability, thus providing a very high level of active safety.

MINI also sets new standards of passive safety. Front driver and passenger "smart" airbags detect the strength of an impact and the presence of a passenger. Additionally, two side airbags are concealed in the outer cushions of the front seats and help to protect the driver and passenger against thoracic injury. All the airbags are linked and controlled via common crash sensors, providing optimum use of the airbags in any situation.

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