Mini with the works
Mini has made it easier to buy its most potent factory-built car.Until now, if you wanted the 155kW/254Nm supercharged John Cooper Works Tuning Kit your Mini Cooper S, you had to have it retro-fitted at a Mini Garage. And hand over $9600.
Now, you can order it as a factory option on the Cooper S or Cooper S Chilli.
The JCW-kitted cars - hardtop and convertible - cost $8800 more than the regular 125kW Mini Cooper S or Mini Cooper S Chilli and are available only with six-speed manual transmission.
The engine modifications comprise a modified, higher-compression cylinder head with higher compression, uprated engine electronics and higher flow injectors and John Cooper Works air intake and filter.
But, wait, there's more. For Australian buyers, any Cooper S ordered with the kits also gets the John Cooper Works brakes package, comprising bigger rotors and pistons, new-compound brake pad linings and racing red callipers.
Subtle giveaways include the traditional chromed double tailpipe and John Cooper Works badges front and rear.
Mini claims 0-100km/h in 6.6sec and 230km/h top speed for the hardtop Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit.
The Cabrio-kitted car is said to add 0.2sec to the hardtop's 0-100kmh sprint time and reach 223km/h. Mid-range acceleration is said to be impressive, with the hardtop version good for 80-120 km/h in 5.4 seconds (5.9 seconds for the Cabrio).
The kits have been popular since their mid-2003 introduction here, and more than 200 have been fitted to Cooper S models by Mini Garages
The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the Cooper S will continue to be available as a retro-fit for cars bought since the Mini's March, 2002 introduction here. Fitment is available through the MINI Garage network Australia wide, and the price remains $9600.
Recommended retail prices for the Mini range, including the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit cars are:
Mini Cooper S hardtop
Mini Cooper S six-speed manual $38,900
Mini Cooper S six-speed automatic $41,100
Mini Cooper S Chillisix-speed manual $41,900
Mini Cooper S Chilli six-speed automatic $44,100
Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit six-speed manual $47,700
Mini Cooper S Chilli with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit six-speed manual $50,700
Mini Cooper S Cabrio
Mini Cooper S Cabrio six-speed manual $45,900
Mini Cooper S Cabrio six-speed automatic $48,100
Mini Cooper S Cabrio six-speed manual with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit $54,700
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