2006 Mini Cooper Review

Specifications

The Super-MINI Redefined

Lets forget for a minute that the car Im about to show you might never make it to North America. And in case you happen to fall head over heels for it and are contemplating heading north of the border to purchase one and then import it into the U.S., that probably wont be possible either. No, this little number will most likely be for Euro MINI fans only, which is a giant shame.

Of course, with preparations well underway for the next-generation MINI, many would rather wait for what most believe will be a vastly improved new model than lament lost opportunity to lay hands on what is no doubt the most exciting OEM version of the current generation Cooper S in memory.

It seems that BMW, MINIs parent, isnt going to let the last model year of one of its biggest sellers simply fizzle into memory - its going to go out with a bang! A final edition is being prepared, delivering more of what MINI enthusiasts crave: fun.

The final hurrah for the MINI Mk.II will be a special commemorative model, the Cooper S John Cooper Works GP. As you might have guessed, the main goal is absolute performance, building atop the current MINI performance king, the Cooper S Works. A credible machine to begin with, in any guise, the MINI has shown time and time again that it can run with even the best of performance sports cars on a windy road.

The Cooper S GP marks the pinnacle in factory-tuned performance for the engine. The tiny, Chrysler-sourced 1.6-liter four-cylinder has been pushed to its absolute boundaries, up a further 8-horsepower over the John Cooper Works for a total output of 218-horsepower. Torque hasnt changed, with some 180 lb-ft available. The car ought to sound great too, as it features the Works “Sound” exhaust kit.

To go along with the upgraded motor, a host of minor chassis and drivetrain modifications have been made. The tweaked motor is mated to nothing less than a six-speed manual gearbox, which puts power to the pavement through a limited slip differential - a crucial add-on that limits excess wheel spin. Meanwhile, DSC II (BMWs Dynamic Stability Control) is available, and the rear suspension features additional aluminum links for increased road-holding capability.

An 8-horsepower hike definitely isnt enough to make specialty status, so there must be something else lurking under its unassuming skin. The real difference can be found at the scales, where the GP weighs in at a full 88 pounds less than the equivalent JCW model. This addresses one of the biggest criticisms against the new MINI, a vehicle that is pretty dense by modern subcompact standards - and even more when you consider it weighs nearly twice as much as the original 60s machine.

The slimming plan entails removing most of the cars unnecessary weight, such as the air conditioner (can be re-added at no extra cost), while a strut brace occupies the space where the rear bench seat once was. Up front, lighter Recaro buckets (they sound nice but no photograph of the interior is available, only an artists rendering) and a massive reduction in sound deadening help to pare further mass. Still, the GP is a place of luxury, offering leather trim, power windows and mirrors, and a powerful sound system with CD player as standard equipment.

On the outside, the MINI GP can be recognized by a brand new body kit designed to optimize aerodynamics. The kit includes a new front apron with reworked air intakes and air splitters, side skirts and a matching tail apron. There are other aerodynamic improvements not visible to the eye, such as flat underbody trays to improve and redirect air flow. These changes actually benefit the driving performance of the GP; according to BMW they actually reduce the cars coefficient of drag and eliminate axle lift.

The visual distinction of the GP continues with a bold metal rear wing, chrome-trim, plus a mix-and-match approach to the paint scheme. The body is finished in a limited edition blue-gray metallic, with Chili-red side mirrors and pure silver roof and body accents. Behind lightweight four-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, painted in anthracite with silver faces, are lips that are really red-painted single-piston calipers - part of the John Coopers brake package.

With all of the additions, subtractions and alterations, this final model has too many complexities to be squeezed into the Oxford production line, responsible for assembling all other MINIs, including the convertible. BMW has therefore selected Italian coachworks firm Bertone to build the vehicle.

A grand total of 2,000 high-spec, high-performance MINI GPs will be made, but once again dont get too excited, because most of these are destined for the European market, starting June, 2006. Prices are range-topping, of course, with an estimated starting sticker of 30,000 euro (roughly $36,000).

So, instead of getting all grumpy because your favorite brand has snubbed you by keeping the best Cooper S ever made in Europe, theres still much more to look forward to. Namely the upcoming revised MINI Cooper and Cooper S, plus its range of non-Chrysler-sourced  turbocharged four cylinder engines, promising even higher levels of performance and refinement.

Who knows, maybe well look back at the current Works GP and wonder why anyone was willing to spend so much for so little? Those silly Europeans…