Press Release
Technical Features of the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit
A racing car providing the foundation for a series production model? Normally the development process is exactly the other way round – but not so with the MINI Cooper S featuring the John Cooper Works GP Kit: This is the ongoing development of a racing car driven in the MINI CHALLENGE Clubsport Series by young, up-and-coming talents and by celebrity drivers on the race track.
Powered by the John Cooper Works GP Kit, the MINI Cooper S has all the qualities of the motorsport version, but offers an even higher standard of power and performance: Developing 160 kW/218 hp, this very special MINI built
in an exclusive, small series is the most powerful model ever offered by MINI dealers. Indeed, more power than in motorsport obviously means a truly outstanding driving experience. And the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit is truly an exclusive pleasure to drive, being built in a limited edition of exactly 2,000 units.
Supreme performance, impressive efficiency
The letters “GP” in the model designation rightly stand for “Grand Prix”. “Creating this car, I wanted to honour my father’s successful Grand Prix racing cars”, states Mike Cooper, the Managing Director of John Cooper Works. “And this MINI is simply ideal for this purpose: a special model with more power, less weight, and even greater fun.”
Indeed, it is most appropriate to state that these factors set the basis for a MINI destined to enter the books of history. For there has never been a production MINI with as much power and the same performance as the
MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit – neither on the road nor in motorsport. And this is certainly an outstanding achievement, considering that the 1.6-litre compressor engine featured in the MINI CHALLENGE racing cars is as such already an impressive power machine: This special engine also driving the road version of the MINI Cooper S develops 154 kW/210 hp with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit and offers maximum torque of 245 Newton-metres or 181 lb-ft.
But even this was not enough for this very special limited addition model developed in cooperation with the John Cooper Works. So modifying the intercooler and the electronic engine management, the development specialists have now achieved an even higher level of power and performance. Supremacy of this kind is possible only in exclusive small series production and cannot be implemented in a conventional production process.
Benefiting from this kind of power, the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit outperforms the MINI CHALLENGE cars, as special as they may already be, on all major counts: Output is up to160 kW/218 hp, maximum torque is now 250 Newton-metres or 184 lb-ft, and top speed is 240 km/h or 149 mph. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h, in turn, comes in just 6.5 seconds. At 8.6 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 32.8 mpg Imp, on the other hand, fuel consumption in the EU cycle is exactly the same as in the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit – again clear proof of the supreme efficiency of all the car's modifications and perfect tuning. And it almost goes without saying that the car meets the EU4 emission standard in full.
Powered by the John Cooper Works GP Kit, the MINI Cooper S not only leaves all previous MINIs far behind in terms of its performance and dynamism, but even, in terms of engine power, outperforms the most thoroughbred sports cars: Output per litre of the compact compressor unit is exactly 100 kW or 136 hp, that is a level of power otherwise achieved, if at all, only by a genuine racing engine.
Formula for power: high-charge pressure and precise engine management
Right from the start, the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit uses an extremely effective concept to ensure optimum power and performance. And now the tuning specialists started out by replacing the compressor used in the “regular” MINI Cooper S by a new, special unit running at even higher speeds. The extra intake air required for this purpose is provided by an adapted air filter with an additional intake flap opening automatically as soon as engine speed reaches 4,500 rpm. The additional charge pressure built up in this way ensures optimised flow conditions in the cylinder head, where the outlet ducts have been modified to meet the new requirements. This, in turn, called for injection nozzles with higher throughput of fuel and air, while high-power spark plugs and the modified engine management ensure a precise combustion process and efficient utilisation of fuel. As an additional feature, the rear silencer has also been adjusted to the higher level of exhaust counter-pressure.
Now, creating the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit, the engineers have made the intercooler even more efficient. Counterpressure is down by approximately 40 per cent, ensuring significantly better air and gas throughput within the engine. Maximum permissible engine speed, in turn, is now 7,150 rpm, with an increase not only in peak output, but also in maximum torque.
The power unit featured in the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper
Works GP Kit develops maximum torque of 250 Newton-metres or 184 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm. Maximum output of 218 hp, in turn, comes at 7,100 rpm.
The extra power and performance of the compressor is to be heard clearly in the speed range between these two figures, the sound of the engine reminding the admirer right away of the race track. This sporting sound is also attributable to the twin-pipe sports exhaust appropriately positioned right in the middle of the rear air dam of the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit and therefore standing out most visibly at very first sight.
The extra-light and precise six-speed gearbox adds to the thrill of enjoying the car’s power and performance. The individual gear increments correspond ideally to the characteristics of the engine, offering everything required for the best acceleration and flexibility through enhanced engine power: In fifth gear, the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit accelerates from 80–120 km (50–75 mph) in just 6.6 seconds. And shifting down to fourth gear, you will complete the same exercise in an even more outstanding 5.3 seconds, while even in sixth gear acceleration from 80–120 km/h comes in just 8.8 seconds.
Comparison tests on the race track prove that the new model offers even better performance than the already outstanding MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit: The MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit laps the Nordschleife of Nürburgring – without the Grand Prix circuit – in 8 : 41.55 minutes, almost 14 seconds faster than the production model. In this process the car benefits not only from its greater engine power, but also from extremely safe and stable driving behaviour, enabling the driver to easily handle load change reactions and braking manoeuvres even at high speeds. This is attributable primarily to aerodynamic improvements drastically reducing lift forces on both the front and rear axle.
Strong through experience: engine tests based on proven standards
Like all power units featured in the MINI, the new top-of-the-range engine has naturally completed a comprehensive range of engine tests in accordance with both the high BMW Group and the exacting John Cooper Works standards. Precisely this is why the MINI works warranty applies without restrictions also to the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit.
For perfect handling: limited-slip differential and ASC+T
Like every MINI, the MINI Cooper S featuring the John Cooper Works GP Kit transmits the power of its engine to the front wheels. And to make sure that the superior power of the engine is properly converted into traction and performance on the road, the car comes as standard with a limited-slip differential largely preventing the drive wheels from spinning on one side and thus optimising traction particularly on slippery surfaces. Extra stability
when setting off and applying the brakes is also ensured by ASC+T Automatic Stability Control likewise featured as standard to ensure smooth straightahead acceleration even when one of the drive wheels is resting on a dry surface with good grip while the other has to cope with loose gravel, snow or slush.
Clearly, this keeps the driver in control and the car easy to handle even in such a demanding situation.
Extra safety at no extra cost: DSC available as a no-cost option
Electronic systems serve to facilitate the handling of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit not only when it comes to straight-ahead acceleration and dynamism, but also in handling side forces: As an option, this particularly fast and powerful MINI is available with DSC Dynamic Stability Control, the DSC sensors registering any excess lateral forces in a fast bend, then reducing engine output and intervening specifically in the brakes to re-stabilise the car whenever required. And as soon as the car starts to oversteer, the DSC control unit will apply the brakes on the outer front wheel in the bend. If the driver is already applying the brakes in such a situation,
the computer will increase brake pressure on this wheel to an even higher level and at the same time reduce pressure on the inner wheels. When understeering, in turn, the DSC control unit applies the brakes on the inner wheel in a bend, again – if the driver has already responded – increasing brake pressure on the inner wheel to an even higher level and taking back brake pressure on the outer wheels.
DSC improves the stability of the car all the way to the absolute limit physically possible above all in dynamic manoeuvres, at the same time offering additional safety also in spontaneous load change reactions or with a sudden change in road conditions. DSC Dynamic Stability Control comes as a no-cost option on the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit.
High-performance brake system with 16-inch discs
Thanks to its direct steering transmission, the MINI Cooper S featuring the John Cooper Works GP Kit offers ultra-precise handling in every bend. And since this very special MINI not only has a particular engine, but also sports suspension with firm springs and extra-strong dampers, supreme agility is guaranteed under all conditions. Indeed, in judging the car’s behaviour in bends, it is quite appropriate to compare this new top performer with a go-kart. But at the latest when accelerating out of a bend, it becomes quite clear that the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit is destined for far longer race tracks and a much higher level of power and performance.
The supreme dynamic potential of the car is handled safely by special sports brakes developed by John Cooper Works: Featuring 16-inch brake discs inner-vented at the front, the most powerful MINI offers particularly impressive deceleration for short stopping distances at all times. Brake callipers on the front wheels finished in red bear clear testimony to the great effect of these special brakes. Extra-large brake pistons and special brake pads, finally, make sure that the high level of brake power is reliably maintained also when the car is pushed to the limit.
A whole range of electronic systems naturally featured as standard guarantee optimum distribution and ideal dosage of stopping power. These include ABS anti-lock brakes, EBD Electronic Brake Force Distribution, and CBC Cornering Brake Control. EBD serves in particular to prevent any over-braking effect on the rear axle, which might otherwise occur when, under brake power, the car’s centre of gravity moves to the front. Under such conditions rear wheel lock may make the car unstable, since the rear wheels are no longer in a position to convey side forces.
While EBD therefore provides the right distribution of brake power between the front and rear wheels, CBC controls distribution of brake power between the two wheels on each axle: When applying the brakes slightly in a bend, a dynamic shift in the centre of gravity may build up greater brake force on the outer side of the car in a bend. In that case CBC provides an appropriate counter-steering effect, optimising the car’s stability on the road.
Low-profile tyres measuring 205/40 R 18 82W RSC with a runflat function fitted on 18-inch light-alloy rims developed especially for the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit also come as standard on the new model. Particular fortes of these wheels are their very low weight and outstanding looks. The black rims are finished in an additional production process giving the outer rim circumference and parts of the four double spokes a contrasting metallic effect. Thanks to their slender spokes, the rims have a very “open” look and provide a clear view of the brake callipers finished in red.
Interacting with the dark sections on the wheel, the rims serve in particular to provide a very attractive optical highlight. And it almost goes without saying that these light-alloy rims offer functional benefits, “pumping” cooling air to the brake discs while driving and preventing heat from building up in the brake system also with the car at a standstill.
Taking motorsport as a role model: lightweight construction to the last detail
Other features also prove that the creators of the MINI Cooper S featuring the John Cooper Works GP Kit have received their inspiration from motor sport: Apart from extra power, lightweight construction was an essential goal in developing this new top-end model. And precisely this is why the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit weighs some 50 kg or 110 lb less than a “regular” MINI Cooper S with the usual range of features and equipment.
To optimise the weight of the car, the engineers have worked quite radically on the technical features of this most powerful MINI: Making a wide range of individual improvements – some of which save only a few grams – John Cooper Works have achieved an ideal weight level guaranteeing particularly effective conversion of engine performance into agility and dynamism. The wide range of lightweight improvements carried out on the new model extends from the body-in-white through the chassis and suspension where the rear axle longitudinal arms are made of aluminium all the way to the particularly conservative use of sound-insulating material.
And since the reduction of unsprung masses is particularly crucial to the car’s driving dynamics, the low weight of the rims contributes directly to the supreme agility of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit.
