Try this the next time you park your car. As you walk away do you turn and cast a lingering look at the car you have just left?

If you do, you will be driving a rare breed of car that brims with real character. The new Mini is one of those cars.

A combination of cheeky good looks, superb finish, fun personality and sheer irresistibility make it a head-turner.

It is a funky-looking squat, compact car which appeals to all ages with a quality, solidity, even luxury, ambience that makes you feel it ought to cost far more.

But it is the razor-sharp, kart-like driving sensation that makes handling the Mini such a treat. Trips to work become a delight. Any excuse is good enough to get behind the wheel.

Quiet, refined and comfortable on the move, the little car responds instantly to steering input and handles quite brilliantly, thanks to a rear suspension system modelled on a set-up developed for the BMW 3 Series.

Power comes from a 115 horsepower, 1.6-litre engine developed jointly by BMW and Chrysler, delivering oodles of power and a great sound to match.

Inside, the original appeal of the Mini influenced the design of the dashboard's centre console, which is framed and supported by aluminium-look struts.

A large, centrally-mounted speedometer and a rev counter mounted atop the steering column, hark back to the original. Toggle switches at the base of the console also echo the switchgear of the original.

OK, like the original there are drawbacks. The chrome-trimmed Mini is not the biggest car in the world and although it will comfortably accommodate the tallest driver, that doesn't leave much space in the rear.

Boot space too is at a premium, although the rear seats split and fold and remember this new Mini is a hatchback, so loading is much easier.

Standard equipment on all models ranges from power steering, anti-lock brakes, front and side driver and front passenger airbags, to height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, immobiliser and an innovative tyre pressure warning indicator.

Optional equipment on the test car included the so-called Chili pack which, for £1,000, adds leather and cloth upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob, driver and front passenger sports seats, sports suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear roof spoiler.

Other extras on the car ranged from a £500 electric panoramic glass sunroof and £600 manual air conditioning, to a £70 single-slot CD player and heated washer jets at £40, pushing the on-the-road price of the test car with options to £14,045.

The list of options is extensive, ranging from steering wheel push button-controlled automatic transmission and an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon hi-fi system, to satellite navigation, automatic rain sensor and a self-dimming, anti-dazzle rear view mirror.

The little car has proved a big hit with the media, picking up Car of the Year titles from motoring magazines Car and Auto Express, and Channel 4's Driven programme. It also took a place in Autocar magazine's top ten cars of the year.

But more importantly from the Cowley workers' point of view, the car's media success has been reflected in the dealerships, with the car heading for sales of more than 10,000 since its launch on July 7 - 42 years after the first Morris Mini-Minor came off the Cowley production line.

It was a hard act to follow, but the affection for the old car has been transferred undiminished to the new car.

When they shaped the new Mini, designers cast a long lingering look at the heart and soul of the little classic, but then focused their minds firmly on the 21st century. The Mini magic lives on.

For further information contact North Oxford Garage, Long Hanborough, on 01865 319099.

AUTO FACTS:

MODEL: Mini Cooper

PRICE: £11,600

INSURANCE GROUP: 8E

FUEL CONSUMPTION (MPG):

Urban: 31.4mpg

Extra urban: 52.3mpg

Combined: 42.2mpg

COMFORT: Excellent (First for a Mini!)

LUGGAGE SPACE: 5.2 cu ft

DIMENSIONS:

Length: 362cm/142.5in

Width: 192cm/75.5in

TOP SPEED: 125mph

FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 50 litres/11 gallons