150mph super Cooper!

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 29, 2008

Byline: By STEVE HUGHES

THE new Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works models are so fast, the speedometer has had to be redesigned .

Built at Mini's Oxford plant, the hatchback and Clubman Works models will be seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show although they are not expected to take to the roads before July.

With power boosted to 211hp, they can zoom from 0 to 60mph in six and a half seconds with the top speed nudging 150mph.

Mini says motor sport has heavily influenced the engineering and development of the Works versions, which have a larger twin-scroll turbocharger and direct petrol injection.

The four-cylinder, 1.6-litre engine has had the same modifications as the Mini Challenge race car along with reengineered brakes, suspension and strengthened gearing.

There is now a 160mph speedometer, giving a margin of 10mph for error.

Prices will be pounds 20,500 for the Mini John Cooper Works and pounds 21,700 for the Mini John Cooper Works Clubman.

CAPTION(S):

POWER SURGE - the latest Mini is out later this year