There aren’t many people out there who desire a rear-wheel drive V8-powered compact hatchback but a UK-based aftermarket firm has created one nonetheless; meet the Powerflex Vini. This project, which makes an appearance at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, adopts a number of parts from various cars to turn it into one edgy hot hatch.
For starters, the Powerflex Vini adopts BMW’s 309 kW naturally aspirated S65 4,0-litre V8 from the E9x M3 with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. In order to accommodate this, the R56-generation Mini’s floorplan has been altered to house the subframe from a Subaru Impreza STI. This part is held in place by the firm’s polyurethane bushes while the hubs are suspended from a custom pair of MacPherson struts.
While maintaining its road-legal status, the Powerflex Vini has an interior that has been designed to racecar standards with a full roll-cage, bucket seats and the removal of many trims. With this equipment, the modded Mini weighs in at 1 300 kg.
“Vini the Powerflex V8 Mini is an iron hand in a velvet glove; an utterly usable and road-legal piece of engineering art that’s as comfortable on a track as it is on the road,
“With [309 kW] on offer within a short-wheelbase body that tips the scales at little more than 1300 kg, Vini has the ability to stretch the confines of physics through its Toyo Proxes R888R track tyres.
“[it] represents the combined forces of members of the Performance Automotive Aftermarket Association, showcasing the skills, ingenuity and products that are available within the UK tuning industry, as several teams were involved in its design and construction.” Powerflex says.
