New JCW Kit for MINI Cooper S (UK)

[UPDATE: official photos of JCW kit for Cooper S added 08.26.07]

Just last week MINI whet our appetite with its track only John Coopers Works Challenge race car. And now for all of you MINI wannabe racers, there is the new John Cooper Works aftermarket kit now available in the UK as an add-on package for all Cooper S models.

The kit, available at MINI dealerships this September, includes a sport exhaust system, high-flow air filter and reprogrammed engine management - all good for an extra 17 bhp to 192 bhp on the 1.6 liter twin-scroll turbo engine. Torque is also increased from 240 to 270 Nm with Overboost. As a result, 0-62 mph happens in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 144 mph. The cost of the kit is £1,095 inc. VAT with 4 hours of fitting time not included. For additionally cost, the JCW look can be completed with JCW branded front grille and tailgate, body kit and 18-inch wheels. Also, an assortment of carbon fiber trim and panel pieces are available as well.

This is as close as it gets without shelling out the EUR 49,900 for the JCW Challenge race car which you can't even drive around your neighborhood, unless you live at Silverstone!