Currently reading: New Mini gets Cooper Works treatment
Latest souped-up Cooper S will be the fastest yet, and there could be a Works diesel too

The latest Mini Cooper S is being sprinkled with a bit of John Cooper magic, and you’ll be able to taste the benefits in a matter of weeks.

On sale in July, the John Cooper Works (JCW) tuning kit is the first performance pack for the new Cooper S, but this is just the beginning for JCW and the second-generation BMW Mini.

According to JCW managing director Mike Cooper, son of legendary racing car maker John Cooper, “this car is all about the torque”.

Using the same twin-scroll turbocharger as the standard Cooper S - whose 1.6-litre engine was developed in conjuction with Peugeot-Citroen - power is boosted from 173bhp to 192bhp.

Torque is up from 177lb ft to 199lb ft - 19lb ft more than the previous-generation Cooper S Works.

JCW expects to sell around 10,000 kits every year. They will cost around £1400, including fitment.

Cooper relinquished ownership of the JCW brand to BMW earlier this year, allowing him to concentrate wholly on developing future products.

As well as this new tuning kit, another full-blown performance pack is expected in early 2008. This will develop over 200bhp and include uprated brakes and suspension.

Cooper is also considering the first Mini Cooper diesel performance pack, though that is at least 15 months away.

Fresh details have also emerged about the forthcoming new Mini Clubman, which won't get the Mini One's 1.4-litre petrol engine. Instead it will start with the 1.6 used in the Mini Cooper.

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