News Source: topspeed.com

When BMW  took over production of the Mini  in the year 2000, it started churning out a long list of special editions and new conceptualizations of the iconic British compact. Over the years, there have been several Mini iterations, some with additional doors, some with no roof, and most with an increase in size and weight. However, no matter the model, they are all both sporty and nimble.

That tradition continues with the introduction of the Mini Sport Pack. Now, buyers of any three-door or five-door hatch are offered this optional equipment package, which comes with new exterior features, interior improvements, and suspension upgrades.

Mini says these new accessories can add up to 25 percent to residual resale value, which should entice buyers into more liberal use of the option list when considering the purchase of a new Mini Cooper.

But is it worth the extra outlay? Hit the jump to find out.

Taking cues from the old British Motor Corporation design, the Mini is a diminutive, fun vehicle, with a rounded nose, oval headlamps, simple lines and a large front grille. 

The Sport Pack complements this with several new additions. First, racing stripes stretch back from the honeycomb grille, alongside the headlamps and across the hood to the windshield. These harken back to the original Mini, which competed in a variety of automotive sporting events in its time. 

Furthering this look is a John Cooper Works rear roof spoiler, which adds a bit of flair. Rounding this out is a John Cooper Works body kit that enhances the ground effects.

Finally, 17-inch Track Spoke alloy wheels in either silver or black finish complete the exterior package.

Inside, there is space for four people, either with a 2+2 layout or an extra pair of doors on five-doors models. The Sport Pack adds new materials such as cloth/leather, diamond-patterned upholstery, piano black trim pieces, an anthracite headliner, and new floor mats.

A multi-function John Cooper Works steering wheel with cruise control capability meets the hands of the driver, while the passenger seat is now height adjustable to give taller folks more headroom. Updated interior lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control and air conditioning, rain sensing windshield wipers, automatic headlight activation, the extra storage compartment package, and Mini John Cooper Works door-sill finishers are all included.

The Sport Pack also includes Mini’s Excitement Pack, which features a sport instrument gauge cluster. There’s also the Driving Excitement function, which is an app that is compatible with the Radio Mini  Visual Boost, Mini Navigation system, and the Mini Professional navigation system, all of which are optional equipment. Essentially, these provide displays of engine output and torque on the 6.5-inch or 8.8-inch multifunction display in the center instrument console. A Driving Excitement Analyzer assesses your driving prowess and awards points for performance, including a display of G-forces reached during spirited driving.

Finally, the interior is finished by Mini’s Driving Modes technology, which employs a rotary control on the gear selector to choose between three different drive settings: Sport, Mid and Green. Mid is the default setting, while Sport delivers enhanced response through a sharper throttle, quicker steering and stiffer dampers. If the vehicle is running an automatic transmission, shifts are quickened and at higher rpm. As expected, Green mode ups fuel economy by deadening the throttle response, lowering shift points, and adjusting the heating and air conditioning settings. These different modes are reflected on the on-board display to show extra available mileage and reductions in energy consumption.