MINI Coupé racer gets Nürburgring debut

MINI has only just revealed its helmeted Coupe, and it's now unleashed a race-prepped version that will tackle this weekend's Nürburgring 24-hour enduro.

The company claims it's the first time the race will be "staging an automotive world premiere", as the MINI John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance gets a baptism of fire in the gruelling event.

The winged and heavily bespoilered race car is said to have benefited from experience gained in the MINI Challenge sprint racing series and virtually every component has been optimised for a "full day lapping the combined Nordschleife/Grand Prix circuit at race speed".

Propulsion for the John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance comes from a specially tuned version of the donor 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engine, with outputs ramped up to a beefy 184kW and 330Nm (with Overboost). Top speed is in excess of 240km/h.

Drive is relayed to the front wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox, while an electronic differential lock is designed to boost traction. Suspension tweaks include KW dampers with adjustable compression and rebound, while an adjustable front strut brace adds stiffness.

The adjustable dampers allegedly enable the suspension to be tailored to fluctuating track conditions, a feature that will come in particularly handy at the dipping and diving Nordschleife circuit.

Meanwhile, the John Cooper Works Aerodynamics Package adds a front spoiler, rear diffuser and adjustable rear wing, all of which combine to generate downforce over the front and rear axles.

Safety features include a welded-in roll cage, six-point safety harness, Formula One-style HANS (Head And Neck Support) system and an electronically activated fire extinguisher. There's also an integrated pneumatic jack to make for rapid pit stops.

The John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance retains ABS and DSC, but both of these electronic aids have been optimised for the racetrack.

Engine  1598cc inline-4 with twin-scroll turbocharger and racing exhaust
Power   184kW
Torque  330Nm (with Overboost)
Top speed  240km/h-plus
Driveline 6-speed sequential gearbox, front-wheel drive with electronic differential lock
Suspension Independent race suspension (KW Suspension) with adjustable compression and rebound, adjustable front strut brace
Tyres  Dunlop slicks: 215/45 R17, wets: 205/620 R17, 17-inch racing rims
Body  John Cooper Works Aerodynamics Package (adjustable rear wing, rear diffuser, pneumatic jack)
Safety  MINI Challenge braking system with Race ABS, race-tuned DSC, welded-in roll cage, six-point safety belt, racing seat (Recaro) with HANS system, main switch concept with electronically controlled fire extinguishing equipment
Interior  Sparco steering wheel, Drive Data Display with shift display
Weight  965kg
Tank capacity 100 litres 

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