Anyone who’s seen the Italian Job will have fallen in love with the Mini Cooper, not so you can rob a bank, but for the go-cart-like handling and peppy performance. Much like the supercharged car before it, the 2007 R56 Mini Cooper S will also receive a tuning upgrade that doesn’t render your warranty null and void.
What makes the Cooper S such an outstanding vehicle is that if you don’t require the space of a mid-size saloon, and have a bit a sporting itch but not exactly keen on club racing, then the Mini’s marvellous mixture of optimum wheelbase, maximum track width and excellent weight distribution will see you well set in that direction. The buck doesn’t stop there though, as a tuning kit provided by John Cooper Works ups the ante of these “pocket rockets” – tremendously.
The JCW kit makes the Mini stand out like a Queen bee among the drones as there are ample exterior finishes that distinguish the JCW Cooper from its standard S siblings. The aerodynamic body kit consisting of black air scoops, JCW front apron, black trim around fog lamps, 18-inch double spoke composite alloy wheels and motorsports-derived carbon-fibre reinforced plastic roof spoiler, among other things, indicate that this is no ordinary Cooper S. If you are still unaware of the tuned Cooper’s capability, then the JCW logos on the grille and tailgate should set you straight.
The standard Cooper S’ 1,6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine develops 128 kW and 240 N.m of torque. Through the use of an uprated induction system, ECU remapping and a sports exhaust system, the Cooper S now develops 141 kW. Although it now only develops 10 N.m more torque, the overboost function available in the first three gears of the six-speed manual gearbox, allows a full 270 N.m of torque from as low as 1 750 r/min under hard acceleration.
The increase in power allows for a zero to 100 km/h sprint of 6,8 seconds and a top speed of 232 km/h. All that extra grunt under the bonnet doesn’t come at the expense of fuel economy, as the tuning kit ensure the same efficient combustion and optimum fuel consumption of the standard Cooper S.
Improving on the already-razor sharp handling of the Cooper S, are an aluminium strut brace and shorter stiffer springs. The JCW sports brake system, with perforated brake discs and JCW-branded calipers, provides instant response and consistent stopping power.
As with the carbon-fibre trim on various exterior components, the racy theme is echoed by the interior, with optional carbon and alcantara or carbon and leather combinations. A JCW steering wheel, Recaro bucket seats and other enhancements are also available.
The tuning kit is in compliance with the stringent John Cooper Works and BMW Group standards, which are a condition for the warranty to remain valid, and is only available at Mini dealerships nationwide.
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