• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

Mini Readies New Challenge Racer

Mini's new baby is getting off to a great start. The new Cooper and CooperS, with their turbocharged engines, have been well-received by the public and media, addressing preliminary complaints about the first generation car. For 2008, Mini will also be adding Efficient Dynamics technologies to make the cars even more fuel efficient, not to mention the extended Clubman station wagon. Now, Mini is getting ready to take the new Cooper S racing again, with an update to last year's Challenge model.

For the past four years, Mini has set up a one-make, one-model racing series, just like Ferrari and its F430 Challenge series. It'll continue into 2008 with a brand new vehicle that is

Storming around the world, the Challenge series is back and the cars are more powerful than before. (Photo: Mini)

making its debut in Frankfurt this September.

The cars are built in Oxford, England alongside Minis destined for dealerships, but they will be sent to Germany to be converted into racing cars. There, the Cooper S' engine is torn apart and rebuilt with new pistons,air filters, exhaust systems and whatnot to improve performance and durability. A re-engineered twin-scroll turbocharger and reprogrammed ECU help to increase the car's performance on the track.

Not much to see in here, unless you're a race car enthusiast. Mini has equipped its racer well to prevent injury to drivers. (Photo: Mini)

Overall, that means output is now up to 207 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque on overboost, which is impressive granted that the engine is merely 1.6 liters in displacement. Coupled to a six-speed manual and a stripped out cabin that's 77 pounds lighter than the outgoing Challenge model, means that this year's racer can blast to 60 mph from standstill in only 6.1 seconds, and with its race specification brakes it can be pulled back down to a full stop in 3.1 seconds (and 102 feet). The car's top speed is 150 mph.

This year's race series is also going to be faster and closer thanksto the addition of one key element not present in the previous car – a limited

Racing a professional car isn't cheap, but with new components like an LSD as well as the turbocharged engine, it should be tons of fun. (Photo: Mini)

slip differential. This will help the Cooper racers put their newfound power to the ground even better.

Page:  1  2

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo