A legend celebrates its anniversary: 40 Years of the MINI Cooper S

No other model has influenced the sporty character of the MINI brand more than the MINI Cooper S. The luxuriously motorised top model with front-wheel drive
has been writing car history around the globe for more than four decades on the road, racetrack and rally circuit.

The British racing icon John Cooper presented the first Mini Cooper S to the world in the spring of 1963. Within a few short months after its debut the Finnish racing legend Rauno Aaltonen achieved the first racing victory with the sporty model at the ‘Coupe des Alpes’.

The first Mini Cooper S was already powerfully motorised compared to other cars at the time. The transverse 1.1-litre engine generated 70 hp and developed a maximum torque of 92 Newton metres. It accelerated from 0 to 80 in 9.5 seconds. The 148 km/h Mini, with its ten-inch wheels, soon became a byword in the world of motoring thanks to its agility, manoeuvrability and supreme road holding.

After 40 years it is these same features that have helped the MINI Cooper S to gain such tremendous popularity.

The ingenious vehicle and drive concept has been maintained, but under the curved bonnet of the most powerful MINI Cooper S in the brand’s history is the very latest in vehicle engineering ensuring maximum driving pleasure and optimal passenger safety. With an engine performance of 120 kW and a maximum torque of 210 Newton metres this exclusive vehicle reaches speeds of 218 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 in just 7.4 seconds.

The predecessor of this modern top model caused a sensation in motorsport in January 1964 when Paddy Hopkirk won the renowned Monte Carlo Rally with a Mini Cooper S. Two further victories were to follow in 1965 and 1967. The agile sporty little car was built between 1963 and 1971. During this time more than 45,000 Mini Cooper S models were produced in three different engine variants with a capacity of 970, 1,071 and 1,275 cubic centimetres.

When the era of the classical Mini had come to an end after four decades, the MINI Cooper S was revived in 2002 with the new model.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the MINI Cooper S a new roof flag is available for MINI fans, with the words “40th Anniversary 1963-2003 MINI Cooper S”. The recommended retail price of the roof flag is $495 Aus, or €211 Euro. Available also are matching mirror covers in the colours of the Union Jack, giving the MINI an extra portion of traditional ‘British-ness’. The mirror covers are available at a cost of $210 Aus. For prices in your local currency, contact your MINI dealer.

The new roof flag for the MINI Cooper S was unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show.