Performance Review: Mini Cooper S R56 - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mini Cooper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mini Cooper S R56 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.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 R56 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 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 175 bhp (130 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 192 lb-ft (260.3 Nm) @ 1700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (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 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (179.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mini Cooper.

The Mini Cooper has a Power to weight ratio of 154.8 bhp per ton and 169.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Cooper competing with the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (179.8 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro (179.7 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 169.9 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 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (194.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA - Classic JDM (194.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Mini Cooper S R56 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This Mini Cooper S R56 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cooper and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works

When talking about the performance of the Mini Cooper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.01 secs @ 91.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (14.94 secs), the 2010 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Quattro (14.94 secs), and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP 1.6 Turbo (14.94 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Mini Cooper S R56 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Cooper equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Mini Cooper S R56 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Cooper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mini

Car Comparison