It's a very pricey Mini Challenge

Mini will unveil a new track-oriented John Cooper Works Cooper S at the Frankfurt show this year, but don't get too excited - it's not road legal.

Read our full Mini JCW Challenge review here

Intended mainly for those wanting to take part in the Mini Challenge race series, the specialist Cooper S has to be imported from Germany by your local dealer, and will set you back £34,000 (€49,900).Which seems more than extortionate for a Cooper S that offers a roll bar, a modified Works Aerodynamics kit, the same acceleration as a standard £19k Mazda 3 MPS, and which can't be driven on the road.We're sure the Mini Challenge race series is good fun, but if you really need a race-ready hot hatch, we'd suggest you try the £20,500 Renault Clio Cup that Autocar drove in April.Or alternately, buy yourself a road-legal Ariel Atom and drive it anywhere you like.

Click to watch the Renault Clio Cup in action