It’s not all about power, but it helps…

The John Cooper Works GP Tuning MINI Cooper S is being touted as the current generations last big fling. A lighter, faster Cooper S at a competitive price that will see the first edition new MINI, with it’s effervescent and charming supercharged engine, get a suitable send off.

But the one question this has given rise to again and again with MINI enthusiasts has been, “I like it, but what about the next generation S works?”. So enough pondering, MINI2 has gathered information from numerous sources and here’s a little taster of what’s to come for you.

Before we approach the “what?”, we’ll address the “when?”. We believe that the range topping Cooper S Works will arrive, at the earliest, in the Autumn of 2007. So if you’re tempted by a GP, it could be more than a year from the GP’s arrival that the next generation Works tempts you away, and if you’re just waiting, put your feet up and relax a while.

We’ve heard a few different murmurs about the Works S, but it’s certain the car will pack more of a punch than the current Works, but not a massive amount more. The engine will weigh in with just over 220 bhp, and in the region 205 lb/ft of torque. The car will feature many unique components, and not just engine components, but trim and bodywork details, including a revised front end to improve cooling and general efficiency. Due to the large number of modifications this car will feature, it is highly unlikely the next generation Works will be available as a dealer conversion, but IF it does become available via the dealer, expect to pay a large mark up compared to the factory Works.

So it seems MINI are doing what many feel they should have done from the start, taking the John Cooper Works “in house”, and offering it as a more complete package, a stand alone model, with significant changes from the standard MINI Cooper S that will be instantly recognisable to any MINI connoisseurs at a single glance. The next generation S Works could also weigh around 100kg less than the current S Works, so power is up, and weight is down. Got to be a good thing.