THE fanfare that's surrounded the new Mini Cooper D is rightly justified, as found on his test drive.

Austin Powers, Michael Caine and The Beatles have all famously been seen driving the iconic Mini Cooper in its various guises.

Its undoubted aura continues to attract a wealth of celebrity owners and the 2007 model looks as if it will see that trend continue for the forseeable future.

But where exactly does the lure of this famous little car lie? Some might say it’s the super crisp handling which has been its hallmark, others favour its distinctive styling.

Whatever the case, its a winning formula which BMW has handled with care since taking over the brand. Granted, the dimensions of the car are far larger than its 1960s counterparts, yet it seems this latest generation of models has maintained the spirit of the original while giving it a very 21st century twist.

Stylistically the new car (including the Mini One which also receives a revamp) has had a few tweaks over the outgoing version. Remarkably, it shares virtually no components with the previous car in the marque’s drive to produce an ever-more advanced product.

Differences in the design stakes are most noticeable in a new pronounced bonnet design, and it’s also longer by 50mm. The shoulder line is also marginally bigger than before, giving the car greater presence.

Internally, the thing that instantly catches your eye is its speedometer of dinner-plate proportions which sits proudly in the centre of the dashboard. This is something that you’ll either love or hate, but most I polled on the issue were for its bold design statement.

There’s more legroom in its smart interior than previously, though the rear seats seem as if merely for show, such is the lack of space.

But this is hardly the kind of car you’d opt for if you have a young family in tow. This is a pure driver’s car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. It’s not likely to break the bank either with on the road prices from £14,000.

You would expect a challenging and immensely fun drive from the Cooper and the D does not disappoint around the winding B roads of its native Oxfordshire.

With a top speed of 121mph from its 110bhp, the performance of its turbocharged 1.6 litre diesel engine is commendable. Some may yearn for even more power under the bonnet, but its 0-60 of just under 10 seconds means it’s no slouch in the acceleration department all through its six gearbox range.

Its real vote winner though comes in its economy - 64 miles per gallon - which makes it a highly attractive option. It gets better when you consider its incredibly low emissions figures mean that it looks likely to be exempt from congestion charging around London.

For anyone seeking the ultimate in affordable open-top motoring, then the marque’s stylish Cooper S convertible (from £17,000) is a joy, managing 0-60 in a very brisk 7.4 seconds.

As with any of the Mini range it’s worth noting that they still have the highest residual values of any car on the road which makes them a surefire bet.

As a quick trip round BMW’s Oxford plant reveals, the marque is hardly standing still in terms of the car’s development, with an array of new technology being consistently introduced in order to tweak production methods even further.

The standard of sales aftercare is also something to write home about with a five-year tlc package representing a sound investment that makes buyers feel especially reassured.

My brother recently parted company with his Mini One with much reluctance. On the evidence of driving the new version of that model and the nippier Cooper it’s not hard to understand how owners of these cars become incredibly attached to them.

FACTFILE

Mini Cooper D

PRICE: £14,190 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUP: 9 [est]

CO2 EMISSIONS: 118g/km

PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 121mph / 0-60mph 9.6s

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 64.2mpg (combined)

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