Mini has issued the following press release (excerpts):
Mini Concept Geneva
Mini: great days in the Monte Carlo Rally.
From 1964 to 1967 Mini dominated the Monte Carlo Rally, setting the foundation for its legendary reputation as a highly agile and nimble sports car. Now, commemorating the 100th birthday of Sir Alec Issigonis, the creator of Mini in the year 2006, and as a re’minder of the outstanding victories scored by the Mini brand some 40 years ago, MINI Concept Geneva offers an up-to-date inter’pretation of the small British racer in its great days. In particular, this new concept model presents the core idea of the Mini Tra’vel’ler, Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate in a highly pro’gres’sive new model variant.
Powerful and elegant looks.
The overall impression conveyed by MINI Concept Geneva is one of strength and muscle, with particular emphasis on individual details such as the car’s wheel arches, its shoulder line and pow’erdome. MINI Concept Geneva is a clear statement ’ the car has stance, looks strong and powerful, but is also elegant at the same time.
Satellite Silver metallic paintwork and neoprene contours.
MINI Concept Geneva stands out in its beautiful silver paintwork in the light, all points not directly in the beholder’s line of vision being kept
in a more discreet grey. Red highlights, in turn, give MINI Concept Geneva a particularly dynamic touch. Soft, resilient neoprene is featured on the black side band so characteristic of the car, extending along the side sills and wheel cutouts.
MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit: Limited to 2,000 Units. — Tokyo Show sustainability concepts.
Sometimes less is more. For example when it comes to less weight in a particularly sporting car. Which explains why the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit is approximately 50 kilos or 110 lb lighter than the ’standard’ model. Together with an increase in engine power to 160 kW/218 hp for top speed of 235 km/h or 146 mph, this strictly limited special model offers a standard of perform’ance once again significantly better than the performance data of the most powerful MINI available from the factory so far, the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit.
The two letters ’GP’ in the name of this very special model stand for ’Grand Prix’ and thus clearly pay tribute to the motorsport DNA of this truly exceptional MINI. The MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit will be limited to a production run of exactly 2,000 units and will be available in Europe as of July 2006.
1.6-litre compressor engine developing 160 kW/218 hp.
The unique MINI CHALLENGE Racing Series has been thrilling en’thu’siasts and racing fans in Germany and many other countries the world over since 2004. The MINI racing cars entered in these exciting events feature the 1.6-litre compressor engine of the MINI Cooper S boosted to an even higher level of output by the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit. In the production model available from every MINI Sales Partner and naturally covered by the full works warranty, the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit increases engine output to an impressive 154 kW/210 hp. Modifications to the intercooler on the compressor and the electronic engine management increase engine output on the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit to 160 kW/218 hp clearly symbolised by the throaty sound of the twin-pipe sports ex’haust.
With this kind of extra power, the fast-revving engine featured in the new
MINI Cooper S boosted by the John Cooper Works GP Kit offers even more dynamic and agile performance with acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in less than 6.5 seconds. And to get this extra power safely on to the road, the Limited Edition MINI comes as stand’ard with a limited-slip differential largely preventing the drive wheels from spinning on either side and thus optimising traction above all on slippery roads. DSC Dynamic Stability Control comes as a non-cost option, further increasing the driving safety of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit. — Volkswagen space up! blue concept.
High-performance brake system and sports suspension from John Cooper Works.
An essential feature of the John Cooper Works GP Kit is the sports suspension with components carefully matched to the greater power of the engine. Even firmer springs and stronger dampers enhance the outstanding agility of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit particularly in bends and on winding roads.
The high-performance brake system with 16-inch inner-vented discs, in turn, ensures optimum deceleration and short stopping distances, red-painted brake callipers on the front wheels providing a particu’lar’ly visual highlight.
Low-profile tyres and 18-inch light-alloy rims developed especially for the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit are further standard features. Through their lower weight, these wheels reduce the car’s unsprung masses and at the same time enhance the sport’ing performance of the MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works GP Kit. — Mitsubishi Concept-RA global debut.
Special aerodynamic package and exclusive colour scheme.
The MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit also features
an exclusive Aerodynamics Package. New highlights are the front and rear air dams, the extra-low side-sills, and the underfloor cover. The roof spoiler
with its wing profile, in turn, is already featured in a simi’lar configuration on some of the cars raced in the MINI CHALLENGE.
The first production MINI with only two seats.
The purist interior of the MINI Cooper S with its John Cooper Works GP Kit exudes more than just a ’touch’ of motorsport. But at the same time driving and riding in the new model is not only more sport’ing and dynamic, but also more comfortable, both the driver and passenger enjoying sports seats from Recaro, the renowned German specialist, offering perfect side support, adjustable thigh support and integrated seat heating. The seats themselves are finished in finest Panther Black leather, with red seams again providing a dynamic and sporting contrast.
