1) This is a 'normal' for the MINI....  It may be by design to minimize emissions, and/or it is an artifact of the throttle-by-wire system.  We recommend you try the Sprint Booster to minimize the delay. 

2) Depending on how soon your car is up-shifting, this can be another 'feature' to minimize emissions.

Ken

Mini and MINI Forum are the same one.

You're posting in the classic section.  You'll do better if you post in the Gen 2 section, or NAM's forum, in the Gen 2 section (northamericanmotoring.com)

I've got a 2007 Cooper S Turbo Automatic that isn't performing as I'd expect.

1) The gas pedal doesn't seem to give anything to the engine for a second or two when I gun it from a dead stop.
2) I've noticed that it is shifting too soon into a higher gear.

I'm wondering if these two problems could be related and whether they might be sensors or something indicative of worse issues.

Any ideas?