Wednesday 23rd November 2005

Tuner adds grunt to Mini Cooper S

Courtesy of BMW specialist AC Schnitzer

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Mini Cooper S with added grunt

BMW tuner and tweaker AC Schnitzer has added the Mini Cooper S to the range of cars with its unique touch. This new project "combines what can be achieved on public roads and racetracks", according to the company.

Using some of its standard BMW components, AC Schnitzer has added Recaro bucket seats and a new, lower seating position which "has a positive effect on the overall weight distribution of the vehicle". The company has also added a Drexler limited slip differential for better track manners.

The Cooper S's supercharged 1.6-litre engine, which delivers 170bhp as standard, has been given a boost by AC Schnitzer -- it's raised the compression ratio and modified the control unit programming to bring power to 222bhp at 7,200 rpm. Performance is up of course, from 7.2 seconds for the 0-60mph dash to 6.8 seconds, with a top speed  of 153mph (137mph in the standard car). Power curves are on the company's Web site (link below -- follow the press releases link).

Brakes have been enhanced to cope, the Schnitzer car using four-pot fixed callipers. In addition, there's the usual range of bodywork extensions available.

• www.acschnitzer.com

[r988]

Another tuned Mini, as if there aren't enough already.

[Beefmeister]

And one that looks oh so attractive......

[rich-uk]

It even makes the new Cooper S GP look good, which is quite something!

[silver993tt]

Really, what is the point?

[turbo tim]

Hang on a tick - didn't AC Schnitzer already bring out their own version of the Cooper S back in 2003???


(see press release from 2003 at
www.seriouswheels.com/top-2003-AC-Schnitzer-Mini-Cooper-S.htm


edit to fix link



>> Edited by turbo tim on Wednesday 23 November 14:07

[GTRene]

[quote=turbo tim]Hang on a tick - didn't AC Schnitzer already bring out their own version of the Cooper S back in 2003???



Yep they did, good finding and the same 2003 numberplate, but with more horspower 222hp(2005)instead of the origenal 193 from 2003, maybe there's somewhere a new picture from it?
I found the new picture's look at this




René

very nice interieur

>> Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 23 November 14:20

[W333]

I think thats the new GP mini actually René - it's an official Cooper factory jobby... not the AC Schnitzer one

[GTRene]

W333 said:

I think thats the new GP mini actually René - it's an official Cooper factory jobby... not the AC Schnitzer one

your right, I did'nt understand the story good anough and was confused with the older 2003 picture on top, anyway they both look great...

[jrchannon]

You could of course just buy an Elise instead of the Schnitzenwowzer Cooper Duper "Z"

[GTRene]

jrchannon said:

You could of course just buy an Elise instead of the Schnitzenwowzer Cooper Duper "Z"

Don't wurry, I won't buy a Mini for myself, I'm much more a Lotus Exige/elise compressor man and if I could pay for a Ultima GTR and sort likes will do me better.
I like low weight cars with many horspowers
My next car will proberbly be a Lotus Exige Cup with compressor(where I got a option on)
René

[rich-uk]

That pic of the interior is the John Cooper Works seats, not what will be in the GP.

[speedy_thrills]

Can any one confirm the acceleration figures? That seems very, very slow for a modern car (in either tuned or un-tuned guise).

Really ugly on the outside but by the sounds of it a bit more power might be just what it needed. Undecided on the interior really, still a lot of cheap plastics even for a BMW.

[tahiti]

rich-uk said:

That pic of the interior is the John Cooper Works seats, not what will be in the GP.

Yep, the GT is to be a two seater if I remember right.

[Hendry]

Just to confirm, those interior pics are of a standard Cooper S with some Cooper Works options - NOT of the Cooper Works GP or of the AC Schnitzer conversion.

Also they are an older spec car, as it has the original dial set and bezels - since this year they look different and have chrome instead of 'silver' plastic.

[baskey]

Hendry said:

Just to confirm, those interior pics are of a standard Cooper S with some Cooper Works options - NOT of the Cooper Works GP or of the AC Schnitzer conversion. Also they are an older spec car, as it has the original dial set and bezels - since this year they look different and have chrome instead of 'silver' plastic.

they still came with the silver dials in 2005. maybe the sept 2005 changes included the chrome pack (def includes the 'radio boost' and CD at long last) but certainly before that they were silver.

[sarbs]

The cooper works gp does not have rear seats. September delivery!