Alongside the likes of Stirling Moss and Mike Hawthorn, Paddy Hopkirk has become one of Britain's revered competitive drivers, following his daring rallying successes at the wheel of the Mini Cooper. The Cooper's rallying pedigree has made it into classic motoring folklore, and while its successor may not have the rallying pedigree of British Leyland's 1960s Mini, the latest Mini Cooper S retains the charm and sporting prowess of the original.

The current Mini Cooper S is a fine performance machine in its current guise, but gains an extra kick this month with the introduction of the John Cooper Works (JCW) GP kit in a limited edition run of just 2,000 cars set for launch in June 2006, although only 400 machines will be sold in the United Kingdom. The JCW GP kit Minis boast impressive performance figures, thanks to a power output increase to an astonishing 218bhp. Expect the top speed and acceleration times of the John Cooper Works machines to be noticeably higher than the regular version, which already exceeds 140mph and can go from 0-60mph in under eight seconds. Other enhancements include improved brakes and lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels, complemented by a host of aesthetic and aerodynamic modifications including front and rear aprons, and a silver bonnet scoop.

This special edition will only be produced in the grey-blue metallic pictured, with a silver roof and red mirrors marking it out from the increasing number of new-shape Minis on our roads. The price for the John Cooper Works model has not been released but we anticipate it to be not far off the £20,000 mark, putting it into direct competition with the latest generation of 200bhp+ hot hatches, though its rarity is a unique selling point against the likes of the VW Golf GTi, Focus ST and Vauxhall Astra VXR.

Andrew Frampton - 9 Nov 2005