'The fastest MINI Race Car' on the Nürburgring Nordschleife [video]

Sport Auto's test drive editor Christian Gebhardt recently got a chance to test drive Schirra's high-performance MINI Cooper on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Specially designed for endurance racing, the car features an aerodynamic body kit with a new front bumper, extended wheel arches and a prominent rear wing. The Cooper also has a track-oriented suspension, high-performance brakes and Michelin racing slicks.

Power is provided by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that has been equipped with new pistons and high-performance camshafts. Thanks to these tweaks, the mill produces 300 HP (221 kW) and 410 Nm (302 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to a six-speed sequential transmission which enables the 989 kg (2180 lb) hatchback to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 15.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 258 km/h (160 mph).