Performance Review: Mini Cooper S Works GP - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mini Cooper Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mini Cooper S Works GP 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 1195 kgs (2634 lbs) this makes the Mini Cooper S Works GP in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mini Cooper shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 7100 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 184 lb-ft (249.4 Nm) @ 4600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 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 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (204.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mini Cooper.

The Mini Cooper has a Power to weight ratio of 179.9 bhp per ton and 153.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Cooper competing with the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (204.9 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo II (204.8 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 153.9 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 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 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 Works GP 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 Works GP 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 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG

When talking about the performance of the Mini Cooper on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.26 secs @ 95.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 R DSG (14.20 secs), the 1998 Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo UK - Classic (14.20 secs), and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Passat 4.0 W8 4Motion (14.20 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Mini Cooper S Works GP has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Cooper equals the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 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 Works GP then how about the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph), the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (160 mph), or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (160 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Cooper Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mini

Car Comparison