For those absolutely desperate to get on the MINI ownership ladder, here's the MINI First. It's based on the One, but it gets even less standard kit and the output of its 1.4-litre engine is pared back to 75bhp and 89lb.ft of torque. That means that as well as handling like a go-kart, it's about as powerful and well equipped as one.
It costs £10,950, compared to £12,345 for a One, and for that you get black plastic mirror caps, silver plastic wheel trims and a body coloured roof. MINI hasn't scrimped on the environmental stuff though, so you get start-stop for the engine, regenerative braking and a gearshift point display. That helps it to emit 128g/km of CO2 and return 53.3mpg. It hits 62mph in 13.2 seconds.
Then there's the options list, which is far from mini. The tech package, which includes a CD player, costs £855. You can order one now.
Mark Nichol - 17 Jul 2009