When I first saw the advertising campaign for the MINI Cooper, my praises went to the creative directors who were behind the project. The way they would highlight the car's ability with super cool billboards and catchy phrases was the reasons behind my good words for these people whom I didn't even know.

But then again, it didn't take me long to realize that it wasn't much of a task for these people. They simply had to elaborate on the truth. Though small in size, the reincarnated MINI was not to be underestimated as it has proved itself a formidable foe. The car was extremely planted and would take corners like a go-cart. It literally sticks to the ground!

But this was not enough to satisfy MINI enthusiast. So along came John Cooper, a legendary racing car constructor and tuner responsible for the Mini Cooper. He founded the company John Cooper Works (JCW) which specialized in producing tuning parts and accessories for the new MINI in the year 2000. This man was a legend and his heritage lives on till today.

A sweet looking fiery red Cooper S dressed in JCW MINI overalls. It was almost impossible to tell the car apart from the real deal. The car was fitted with a complete JCW kit comprising of the front as well as the rear bumpers, side skirts and a radically designed wing at the rear. Signature black 'racing stripes' and little 'Works' badges completed the look.

The newly fitted kit gave the car a much wider stance and looked more aggressive. To top things off, 18 inch JCW wheels in deep black were bolted onto the hubs for a more masculine look. These wheels are of a lightweight composition and have a much wider contact surface then the stock wheels. Up front, traction and acute maneuverability is provided by grippy Falken ZE912 tires, while the rear rides on Accelera tires.

Under the hood, the 1.6 liter turbocharged engine features a JCW tuning package, aimed at enhancing the abilities of the car. A much smoother power delivery also meant the car could be handles more precisely around bends. The kit included and intake and complete exhaust kit to free up the engine, liberating slightly more power but most importantly increasing the engine's response.

Not wanting to go too far over the top as this was a daily workhorse, the transmission and brakes were left unattended. After all, they have proved themselves effective many times before and saw no need for an upgrade just yet.

The stock suspension however was upgraded with a set of Eibach springs. The coil springs reduced the car's ride height and are slightly stiffer then the stock items. But even so, the gain in stability had not affected the ride comfort. Fortifying the chassis up front, a JCW strut bar sits atop the suspension mounts in the engine bay.

I know the car may seem a little small to justify its selling price. But like many would put it, you're paying for the precise engineering and handling capabilities of the car. The MINI Cooper S easily out-classes and out-handles the others in its class. It's fast, nippy and it serves well as both a daily car and a weekend warrior. And for the hot-blooded males out there, let's not forget that the car is a babe-magnet!

Mummy please! I want one! I want one for Christmas!

(The rest of the article can be found in Hypertune Vol. 84)

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