Is the 189 hp MINI Cooper S 5 Door, the most potent version of the more-door hatch, still not quite spicy enough for your taste buds? Well, at least for those living in the United States, your prayers have been answered with the US-only MINI Carbon Edition.
No, it doesn’t get a BMW i8-style carbon fibre body – it’s still mostly just a regular Cooper S 5 Door, just with genuine carbon mirror caps, air intake trim and tailpipe finishers to justify the name.
Available solely in Midnight Black, the Carbon Edition is also fitted is a John Cooper Works aero kit and rear spoiler add-on, black head- and tail light rings, black 17-inch JCW Track Spoke alloy wheels as well as matte black stripes and red pinstripes across the top and sides, the latter with “Carbon” script.
Inside, the car is fitted as standard with a JCW steering wheel, the Visual Boost XL infotainment system larger 8.8-inch centre display, navigation, Harmon/Kardon premium sound system, heated seats and a panoramic sunroof. Also included is Comfort Access and Dynamic Damper Control.
But it’s under the bonnet that the real upgrades can be found – the 2.0 litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol mill has been given a software tweak thanks to the JCW Pro Tuning Kit. There’s also a stainless steel JCW exhaust system with valves that open and close to modulate the sound based on the mode selected (Sport or Track); it’s controlled by a Bluetooth remote.
Together with the reduced exhaust gas back pressure, the reflash bumps power up to a heady 208 hp, a healthy 19 hp increase over the standard Cooper S.
The MINI Carbon Edition is priced at US$36,250 (RM156,500), a considerable jump over the US$25,100 (RM108,400) standard Cooper S with a six-speed Getrag manual transmission; the six-speed automatic is a US$1,500 (RM6,500) extra.
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