The MINI brand is inseparable from a famous name in motor sport history: John Cooper.
Even before the first series manufactured Mini appeared in the showrooms, he had already developed a power-enhanced brother. However, this only existed on the drawing boards of the Mini designer and his close confidant Alec Issigonis. A legend was born.
Until this day the Cooper name is closely associated with the MINI brand and so it is no wonder that Mike Cooper, the son of the legendary John Cooper, already had a power-enhanced version in mind before the new MINI was launched onto the market in 2001...
Power boost for the MINI Cooper.
Parallel to the series development of the MINI, John Cooper Works already began with the development of the series version power unit. This gave rise to two attractive tuning versions of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models. Apart from visual touches the two models are mainly differentiated by their increased engine output and higher torque.
The John Cooper Works tuning kit for the MINI Cooper boasts features such as a modified cylinder head with higher compression, altered engine electronics as well as a special air filter and rear silencer.
Retrofitting the MINI Cooper in this way generates a maximum output of 126 bhp (93 kW) already achieved at 5,750 rpm. Maximum torque is increased to 155 Nm and is available at 4,700 rpm. This power treatment gives the MINI Cooper by John Cooper Works a top speed of 204 km/h and an acceleration of 8.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. The burst from 80 to 120 km/h in fourth gear takes only 10.1 seconds.
MINI Cooper S with 200 bhp.
By installing an even more powerful and higher revving compressor, John Cooper Works has turned the MINI Cooper S top model intoan excellent driving machine.
The performance figures can be compared to those of renowned sports cars: 200 horsepower (147 kW) at 6,950 rpm give this power pack a top speed of 226 km/h.
The generous torque of 240 Nm available at 4,000 rpm catapults the powerful MINI to 100 km/h in only 6.7 seconds. The car's pulling power is also very impressive: only 5.6 seconds are needed from 80 to 120 km/h.
In order to be able to use the new compressor with the higher rpm level and load pressure, modifications to the cylinder head and the engine electronics were necessary. A special rear silencer gives the car a powerful acoustic impact.
The suitable outfit for the power MINI.
In order to emphasise the sporty driving impression of the tuned MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models, John Cooper Works not only offers sports seats but also an 18 inch wheel rim unique to the MINI up to now.
The sides of the sports seats are raised for improved lateral hold, the shoulder area is reinforced and the thigh support can be adjusted to provide greater comfort and safety. The seats are available in nearly all regular colour and upholstery designs and can also be ordered with seat heating. The Easy-Entry function remains unchanged.
18-inch light-alloy rims also give the MINI a powerful and sporty look. The wheels in star spoke design featuring five widening spokes run on 205/40 R18 tyres.
A powerful MINI for a powerful racing series: the John Cooper Challenge.
What could be more suitable than driving the MINIs tuned by Mike Cooper on the racetrack? The idea of a racing series, the John Cooper Challenge, therefore was not long in coming and was already put into practice in 2002. The John Cooper Challenge is the first racing series for the new MINI in which up-and-coming drivers and young talents can battle it out head to head and show some thrilling motor sport action.
Headed by Mike Cooper, the John Cooper Works manufactures the tuning and retrofit kits for the racing cars and highlights that sportiness is not only an image of the MINI Cooper. Like the series model, the race version is characterised by unsurpassed ease of handling and generous power.
Due to the enormous success of last year's series, this year will see the John Cooper Challenge continued at renowned venues such as Goodwood or Silver
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