Mini gave its new two-seat Coupe the full racing treatment at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race last weekend.
The stripped-out racer, called the Mini John Cooper Works Coupe Endurance, took on Germany's famous 21km circuit against several factory-tuned models, including Volkswagen's GTi Golf24.
The Coupe racer is the most powerful
Mini yet, its 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 184kW and 330Nm - noticeably more than the hottest road-going Mini, the 155kW/260Nm JCW-badged hatch.
Instead of a six-speed manual or conventional auto, the Coupe Endurance sends its power to the front wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox and electronic locking differential.
Top speed is claimed to be in excess of 240km/h, though the JCW hatch can reach 238km/h.
Mini said it took the Cooper's characteristic sharp handling to a new level with stiffer, adjustable race suspension for improved roadholding to withstand the punishing circuit.
The Mini racer weighs just 965kg and benefits from deep front and rear carbon-fibre splitters and an adjustable rear wing to generate downforce and stability.
The race cockpit features a full roll-cage welded in the body and a single sports bucket seat with a six-point race harness and a Formula One-style Hans (Head And Neck Support) system.
Other interior features include a racing steering wheel wrapped in suede and a data display with gearshift light. The car also benefits from ventilated and cross-drilled AP Racing brakes, a race-tuned electronic stability-control system and a long-range 100km fuel tank.
The appearance of the Endurance model was timed to coincide with the worldwide unveiling of the "helmeted-roofed" Mini Coupe, which the carmaker claims will be the best-handling Mini ever when it goes on sale in New Zealand in February or March next year.
The Coupe borrows the regular Mini's suspension but benefits from a lower centre of gravity that will help limit body roll and increase agility.
At the rear, a spoiler rises at speeds above 80km/h to increase downforce - a first for the brand.
Optional sports suspension is available with stiffer anti-roll bars and firmer dampers, while a rock-hard JCW set-up pack can also be specified.
This drops the ride height by 10mm and firms up the anti-roll bars and dampers even further.
With a "helmet" roof grafted on top of the Mini Convertible's body, the two-seater Coupe looks unlike anything else on the road.
Its "three-box" shape means there is room for a 280-litre load bay - 120litres up on the normal Mini - plus there are extra storage bins behind the seats and a hatch for posting longer objects through.
Though the roofline is 29mm lower than the standard car's, scallops in the headlining ensure tall occupants will fit in comfortably, says Mini.
The racer weighs just 965kg and benefits from deep front and rear carbon-fibre splitters. Photo / Supplied
Mini gave its new two-seat Coupe the full racing treatment at the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race last weekend.
The stripped-out racer, called the Mini John Cooper Works Coupe Endurance, took on Germany's famous 21km circuit against several factory-tuned models, including Volkswagen's GTi Golf24.
The Coupe racer is the most powerful
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.