MESSING with a winning formula clearly wasn’t on the cards with the latest generation MINI.

Despite sharing barely a component with its predecessor, this version looks virtually the same.

The philosophy this time round has been to ruthlessly excise all the parts that users felt weren’t up to par and to keep the aspects of the MINI they loved, styling manifestly being one of them.

More spacious and easier to drive, with more efficient engines and a more customisable interior, the So how can you identify the latest car? Although the stance remains the same, there’s been a loosening of the belt.

The Cooper model, for instance, is 60mm longer. The front grille is tidier and the indicators are now housed in the headlight pod.

The car’s shoulder line is 18mm higher than on the former model, giving the latest version a more hunched, powerful appearance. It’s inside the MINI that more obvious improvements have been wrought.

Gone are those indicators that felt like you were snapping a biro every time you used them. The centrally mounted speedometer now houses entertainment and, if specified, navigation functions.

The slimmed-down centre console offers more space in the footwells while the key has been replaced by a round signal sensor that slots next to the steering wheel. A start/stop button is also fitted as standard.

One of the most intriguing, albeit frivolous, aspects of the interior is the optional lights package which features custom ambient illumination.

A panel of toggle switches in the roof lining allows the driver to switch the colours of the lights in the roof lining, the door storage pockets and the grab handle recesses.

These can be changed at any time in five stages from warm orange to sporting blue, depending on personal taste - quite mad, but undeniably funky. Rear seat space, a big grumble among MINI customers, has been improved with recessed knee cut-outs in the fabric-trimmed front seat backs.

The engine line-up merits investigation. The One uses a 95bhp 1.4-litre engine while the MINI diesel also offers big improvements. The cars likely to provoke the biggest clamour, the Cooper and Cooper S, both use versions of the same 1.6-litre powerplant.

The Cooper, as before, is normally aspirated, this time round being propelled by a 120bhp engine that will get it from rest to 60mph in 8.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 126mph.

The Cooper S gets an intercooled and turbocharged version of this engine that’s good for 175bhp and will punt it through 60mph in 6.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 140mph.

Pricing remains competitive with the One kicking off at £11,595 otr, the Cooper pitched at £12,995 and the Cooper S giving the Renault Clio 197 something to think about at £15,995.

Buyers will often specify their cars to their own tastes and spend a good deal more, indulging themselves with options like the Colour Line trim packs or DSC+ stability control.

Not even the most deluded optimist could have predicted quite how successful the MINI has been since its launch in 2001.

The shift to German ownership was handled sensibly and with the heart and soul of the car remaining British.

This time, the MINI range aims to excise the flaws with Teutonic efficiency. The British way would have been to milk the formula until buyers grew bored. Looks like we’ve got the best of both worlds now.

FACTFILE

MINI range

PRICES: £12,995-£15,995 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUP: 5-14

CO2 EMISSIONS: 139-164g/km

PERFORMANCE: [Cooper] Max Speed 126mph / 0-60mph 9.1s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [Cooper] 48.7mpg (combined)

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: [Cooper] Six airbags, ABS with EBD and CBC, runflat tyres