Tuned-up Cooper's a sporty prospect

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Sept 28, 2007

Byline: By CHRIS RUSSON

WANT to tweak your Mini Cooper S? A high-performance tuning kit will boost the power from 175bhp to 192 at a cost of pounds 1,095.

Mini says the John Cooper Works tuning kit takes about four hours to fit and can be installed on any Cooper S.

As with the standard car, an overboost facility is available for faster power deliver and the Works kit results in a 0-62 time of 6.8 seconds, and top speed of 144 mph.

External John Cooper Works branding on the front grille and tailgate indicate the tweaks carried out under the skin of tuned cars.

Features of the kit include a sports exhaust system, a sports air filter and a revised engine management system - all designed to optimise power efficiency and make the engine more free-revving for rapid acceleration throughout the engine speed range .

The Cooper S can be further boosted with features including an aerodynamic body kit, 18-inch light alloy wheels in various finishes and numerous carbon-fibre trim and panel units.

The tuning upgrade is now available at Mini dealerships.

The Mini John Cooper Works Challenge car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The race car developed only for track use is priced at about pounds 35,000.

CAPTION(S):

POWER BOOST - the Mini Cooper, above, and below, the inside of the car