General Information |
Vehicle Type: |
2-door coupe, production car |
Price: |
$---,--- |
Miles Per Gallon: |
--/-- mpg |
Drivetrain |
Configuration |
Front Engine/FWD |
Engine: |
Supercharged Inline-4 |
Displacement: |
1598 cc |
Horsepower: |
207 bhp @ 6950 rpm |
Torque: |
180 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
Max RPM: |
7950 rpm |
Transmission: |
6-Speed Manual |
Dimensions |
Weight: |
2620 lbs |
Height: |
55.8 in |
Length: |
143.9 in |
Width: |
66.6 in |
Wheelbase: |
97.1 in |
Track: |
f: 57.2 / r: 57.5 in |
Performance |
0-60 mph: |
6.3 sec |
0-100 mph: |
16.3 sec |
Quarter Mile: |
14.9 sec @ 96 mph |
Top Speed: |
143 mph |
Lateral Acceleration: |
.86g |
Braking, 60-0 mph: |
122 ft |
Slalom Speed: |
--.- mph |
Nürburgring Lap Time: |
--.- minutes |
|
For the 2006 model year, the John Cooper Works kit for the MINI Cooper S and Cooper S Convertible became available as a factory option, installed on the production line at the MINI Plant in Oxford England. The factory installed package notably includes a limited-slip differential and the John Cooper Works brake kit and retails for $6,300.
For those customers who wish to add the under-hood performance upgrade on their current car, the tuning kit also remains available as a dealer-installed option. In this instance the John Cooper Works brake kit is available separately as a dealer-installed item. The limited-slip differential is only a factory-installed item available on MINI Cooper S models with the manual transmission. Separately the differential retails for $500.
The factory installed kit is part of a host of performance and appearance upgrades offered by MINI and the legendary aftermarket company John Cooper Works with items that include sport suspension and brake upgrades, light alloy sport wheels, engine performance pieces and exterior and interior carbon fiber trim just to name a few.
More Power Under-Bonnet
Whether installed at the factory or the dealer, the John Cooper Works package for the MINI Cooper S offers an impressive increase in performance with 207 horsepower at 6,950 rpm and torque registering 180 pounds-feet at 4,500 rpm. The cornerstone of the package is John Cooper Work’s enhanced Eaton supercharger with specially-coated vanes that generate increased flow pressure. The unit comes with a pulley design that allows the unit to spin at a higher RPM. This, along with the increased flow pressure, generates an increase in power over the stock unit.
A high performance cylinder head is also a key ingredient. The modified head has improved port flow and has been specifically designed for the increased compression and heat produced by the supercharger. New injectors with a higher fuel flow and a set of performance spark plugs with a colder heat rating, also help to increase the power output.
The John Cooper Works kit also includes low restriction electronically controlled air induction. The design of the air box features an electronically controlled valve that opens an additional air duct at higher engine speeds, This allows more fresh air to enter though a special low restriction filter element. In addition to dramatically increasing the airflow, the new air box creates a powerful induction sound that compliments the impressive growl from the performance exhaust, also part of the kit.
The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) has also been recalibrated to optimize power output and drivability, resulting in lively throttle response and increased acceleration in the mid-range torque band. The reprogrammed ECU optimizes the power output by managing all engine control functions including airflow, combustion, and fuel delivery through a set of higher flow fuel injectors and spark advance through a set of cold firing spark plugs
Also installed is a stainless steel Sport Exhaust System. The system is a parallel-flow, low backpressure system with superb interior and exterior noise quality. The system adds a throatier, more powerful exhaust note, and has distinctive-looking twin chrome exhaust tips.
A MINI Cooper S or MINI Cooper S Convertible ordered with the factory John Cooper Works package comes standard with a limited slip differential, a performance feature coveted by motoring enthusiasts. The limited slip differential helps to divert more torque towards the drive wheel with better traction, ensuring power is transmitted to the road more effectively. This helps to increase traction under acceleration or during cornering, resulting in improved handling and increased stability.
The unit, manufactured by GKN Driveline, is a torque-sensitive differential that manages torque output under acceleration and offers a 30% slip rate. This means, there is no loss of torque if the difference in grip between the two wheels is 30 % or less. The system also allows the threshold for Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) to be increased without impeding the system’s safe intervention in slippery situations.
Also part of MINI’s factory installed John Cooper Works package is the performance brake kit. This kit comes with larger performance calipers, vented rotors and performance pads up front and performance composition pads in the rear. The front sport calipers are also painted in a distinctive red finish and include a John Cooper Works logo. If ordered as a stand-alone dealer installed item, the John Cooper Works brake kit retails for $1,065 plus 3.5 hours for installation.
Visual cues for the kit are understated and will appeal to the MINI enthusiast. A unique chrome John Cooper Works badge adorns the rear deck lid and when raised, the bonnet reveals a visually appealing silver intercooler surround with a John Cooper Works logo. An individually numbered valve cover plaque tops it off and commemorates the exclusivity of this special package.
History of Mini and the Cooper
John Cooper Works is no ordinary aftermarket company. Since the 1940s, it has produced celebrated racing cars, notably the front-engine Cooper Bristol driven by Juan Fangio and rear engine Coopers for Formula 1, driven by Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren and Stirling Moss. Under John Cooper’s direction, the Cooper Car Company won consecutive Formula 1 Constructors" World Championships in 1959 and 1960.
The Cooper name is forever entwined with MINI, originating with the 1961 MINI Cooper, which was developed by John Cooper. Recognizing MINI’s inherent motorsport potential, Mr. Cooper’s team produced cars that took numerous race titles, and the MINI Cooper S became the stuff of legends with three Monte Carlo Rally wins between 1964 and 1967, driven by greats such as Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen. The Cooper company continues to produce aftermarket parts for the classic MINI and played an active part in the development of the new generation MINI Cooper. John Cooper passed away just as the new car came to market and the company is now run by his son Michael.