Thursday 11 June 2009

MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 50






Fifty years ago Mini founder Sir Alec Issigonis introduced the concept of the Mini. Fifty years ago Mr John Cooper produced a car that won the Formula One World Championship. At the wheel of that car was legend Jack Brabham. Since those days the two brands, Mini, now called MINI, and Cooper have been intertwined.

A new car called the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 has now been introduced. It was first seen at this year’s 50-year MINI celebrations at the MINI United Festival in Silverstone, UK.

The limited-edition car (only 250 units will be made) comes in a colour called Connaught Green. During the development of the car Mike Cooper, John’s son, was fully in support and was involved in the project. In the end he helped make it even more exclusive by lending his signature to it which appears on one bonnet stripe and on a facia plaque.

Nice exterior things include bi-xenon headlights with black interior surfaces, jet black alloy wheels, lots of carbon fiber (bonnet scoop, side mirrors, rear diffuser etc), red aluminium brake callipers

Full leather sports seats come in black with red piping and the John Cooper Works sports steering wheel has Alcantara rims.

Safety systems include Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Hill Assist, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Brake Assist. An Electronic Differential Lock Control system which helps with grip is fitted as standard.

The standard 1.6-litre turbo JCW engine is installed. It kicks out 155kW (211hp) and maximum torque of 260Nm which can be increased to 280Nm for a few moments under overtaking situations. MINI says the car will run from 0 – 100km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 238km/h.