MINI specials turn up heat

24th August 2008

It's a MINI miracle! German tuner Hamann has worked its magic on hatchback and Clubman variants of the MINI Cooper S and Cooper D.

In early 2007, it developed a simple engine remap for the second-generation Cooper S, boosting power from 173bhp to 201bhp. However, the firm’s experts have been busy since then, and now more powerful upgrades and sporty styling kits for both petrol and diesel models are on offer.

The Sportkit CS 230 for the Cooper S adds an intercooler and sports exhaust, which cranks power up to 227bhp, and gives 330Nm of torque. Expect a 0-60mph time in the region of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 148mph. Tweaks to the Cooper D’s powerplant have resulted in an extra 26bhp, taking the total to 134bhp. It also offers 300Nm of torque.

And to prove that MINIs and fun go hand-in-hand, the British maker has launched the carfunfootprint.com website, where drivers can quantify how much fun they get out of their MINI. Visitors are greeted by the message ‘it’s time to drive like there’s no tomorrow’.