Performance Review: Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mini Cooper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Mini Cooper has a 1598cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Cooper shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cooper's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1130 kgs (2491 lbs) this makes the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mini Cooper shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 189 bhp (140 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 199 lb-ft (269.8 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mini Cooper you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet F23 (192.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mini Cooper.

The Mini Cooper has a Power to weight ratio of 167.2 bhp per ton and 176.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Cooper competing with the 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet F23 (192.2 bhp per ton) or the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI (192.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mini Cooper generating around 176.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (201.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1958 Ford Thunderbird 352 Special Overdrive 2nd Gen. (201.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cooper and the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Mini Cooper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.63 secs @ 93.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs), and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Cooper equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Cooper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mini

Car Comparison