If the fun behind the wheel of a Mini Cooper S is no longer enough for you, you’re in luck: Maxi-Tuner has developed a kit that takes the little one to 222 hp. We have already driven it!
Remember when a Mini Cooper S was the undisputed number one in the small car category? When it easily beat rivals of the caliber of the Renault Clio Sport, Corsa OPC or Polo GTI? And when its 175 hp engine was celebrated as “Engine of the Year”?
That’s a long time ago. In recent years the Mini has become somewhat more civilized apart from the Mini JCW GPs. The result: Recently, a Cooper S had to admit defeat to a (supposedly) conservative 200bhp Audi A1.
The Cooper S series has only 178 hp after the facelift
The facelift arrived a few months ago. With many new colors, customizations… and less energy. Due to new emissions standards, the Cooper S only has 178 hp instead of 192 previously. And now? What does the person do who misses more cavalry under the hood? The solution could come from Andreas Schmidt.
The director of Maxi-Tuner, based near Frankfurt, has developed a kit for the Cooper S that aims to raise the Mini to the old level of driving pleasure. The complete kit costs 6,560 euros (in Germany) to which the price of the standard Cooper S must be added.
Maxi-Mini much more robust
We get behind the wheel. The base is a current Cooper S with the boring seven-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. After the conversion, Schmidt calls his vehicle the “Rebell CPR S”. What is behind the designation? First of all, the two-liter turbo four-cylinder gets, among other things, more boost pressure with an additional control unit.
In addition, the engine is now connected to a carbon Max AirRam intake system and a stainless steel sports exhaust system with two 100-millimeter-thick pipes. So now yes: the four-cylinder should be able to develop its full potential.
On the chassis side, a self-developed helical solution called “Conqueror” with adjustable dampers is used. The setup pleases in everyday life with sporty toughness and at the same time sufficient residual comfort. Together with the 18-inch Maxwheel wheels, also made in-house, the Mini is now much more robust.
Visually, not only is its color striking: the adjustable rear spoiler is also an eye-catcher.
It reaches 244 instead of 235 km/h
During the first measurements, it is clear: This Mini has more punch! The production car goes from 0 to 100 in 6.7 seconds, according to official data.
This Maxi-Mini does it in a clean six seconds. Between 3,800 and 5,000 laps you can clearly feel that this Mini has a lot more oomph than stock.
We put it in the Lausitzring circuit
The automatic transmission now has a more vigorous response, the elasticity values are impressive, the distribution of forces is homogeneous. maximum speed? 244 instead of 235 km/h. According to the speedometer, the little one even exceeds 250.
Despite producing “only” 222 hp, the ease with which it changes trajectory, the lateral acceleration it accumulates due to its low weight and the sustainable yet impetuous way in which it exits tight corners are impressive. There it is again, that typical “Mini” feeling of yesteryear. At last!