[CBFryman]

Mini's arent straight ling performers...never have been and never will be. The new ones are based on the curvies because the old ones where such good handlers and where constantly raced on tracks with turns (ie real tracks). they handle(d) so well because their tires where placed in the absolute best area, the 4 far corners, you absolutely could/can not flip them w/o trying and it allows for better weight distribution for more neutral handleling and the traction patch stars more even because there is less swaying.
the supercharged one is sapposed to be pretty quick and have even more "little elves", as the heel toe tutorial site said, to keep yours tires firmly planted and transmission properly rev mached.