Consumer Reports Gives Mini Cooper & Ford SVT Focus High Scores i n Performance Tests

CONSUMER REPORTS GIVES MINI COOPER & FORD SVT FOCUS
HIGH OVERALL SCORES
IN PERFORMANCE TESTS OF FIVE SPORTY HATCHBACKS

Ford SVT Focus outperforms previously top-rated Subaru Impreza WRX

YONKERS, NY - Consumer Reports rated the 2002 Ford SVT Focus "Excellent" and
the Mini Cooper "Very Good" in performance tests of sporty hatchbacks for
the October issue. The $19,000 SVT Focus easily outperformed Consumer
Reports' previously top-rated sporty car, the Subaru Impreza WRX, and
handled nearly as crisply as a $49,000 Porsche Boxster.

Of the five two-door hatchbacks tested, only two-the SVT Focus and the Mini
Cooper-were judged "truly fun to drive" vehicles with Excellent handling by
Consumer Reports' team of trained auto engineers.

The other cars tested in this group were the VW New Beetle Turbo S, which
delivered "Very Good" overall performance and was rated a notch below the
Mini Cooper; the Honda Civic Si ("Very Good"), and the Hyundai Tiburon GT
("Good").

	"The Ford SVT Focus and the Mini Cooper deliver excellent handling
and great fun behind the wheel for less than $19,000 apiece," said David
Champion, director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Facility in East Haddam,
Connecticut.

	Full tests and ratings of the sporty hatchbacks appear in the
October issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale everywhere magazines
are sold beginning September 10. The complete report is also available to
subscribers of ConsumerReports.org.

Performance tests were conducted at Consumer Reports' Auto Test facility in
East Haddam, Connecticut. The five vehicles carried sticker prices ranging
from a low of $18,000 for the Mini Cooper to a high of $24,000 for the VW
New Beetle Turbo S. All of them were equipped with four-cylinder engines and
manual transmissions except for the Tiburon GT, which is equipped with a V6.

Four out of the five cars tested, including the top-scoring SVT Focus and
Mini Cooper, could not be recommended because of reliability issues. To be
recommended, a vehicle must score well in CR's tests and have average or
better reliability based upon the magazine's annual reader survey. The Honda
Civic Si is recommended because it scored well in the tests and is expected
to be reliable; past Honda Civics have had a
good reliability record.

The SVT Focus is essentially an affordable small hatchback with the handling
prowess of a really good sports car. The SVT ($18,985 as tested) comes
equipped with a 170-hp, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual
transmission that deliver lively performance and crisp shifts. The SVT
offers a solid combination of agile handling, a tolerable ride, and
commendable interior space. Braking performance was excellent. Overall
reliability for Ford Focus models has been much worse than average.

The Mini Cooper, built in England by a subsidiary of Germany's BMW, retains
styling cues from the 1960s era original but otherwise is thoroughly new,
both inside and out. Its cockpit is surprisingly roomy for a vehicle with an
overall length of less than 12 feet (143 inches). The Mini Cooper ($18,100
as tested) is powered by a 115-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder and five-speed
transmission that deliver reasonable acceleration and smooth shifts. Braking
was excellent. The redesigned Mini Cooper is too new to predict reliability.

The New Beetle Turbo S is quick, but it doesn't handle as nimbly as the SVT
Focus or Mini. Handling is capable but not sporty. The Turbo S ($24,050 as
tested) is equipped with a 180-hp, 1.8-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder
engine that provides strong acceleration. The six-speed transmission feels a
little vague but has well-chosen gear ratios. Braking was very good overall.
Reliability of the New Beetle has been worse than average.

Despite its sporty modifications, the Civic Si does not drive all that
differently from a regular Civic. Though pleasant to drive, it lacks a
sporty feel. The Civic Si (($19,460 as tested) has a 160-hp, 2.0-liter
four-cylinder engine that hums along smoothly but needs a lot of revving to
show its muscle. The shifter for the five-speed manual transmission is oddly
located in the middle of the dash but feels natural and easy to use. Braking
performance was very good overall. Past Honda Civics have had a good
reliability record.

With its flashy styling and powerful V6, the redesigned Tiburon would appear
to be a major contender in this class. But its so-so handling, uncomfortable
seating and rough ride undermine those ambitions. The Tiburon GT ($20,492 as
tested) is powered by a 181-hp, 2.7-liter V6 that runs smoothly and provides
lively acceleration. The six-speed manual transmission has well-chosen
ratios. Braking performance was excellent overall. The redesigned Tiburon is
too new to predict reliability.