The MINI Cooper S can now be fitted with an ECU from the Superchips tuning company that increases power output from 175- to 195bhp and torque from 187- to 206lb.ft. To avail of these improvements, the consumer can expect to pay £445, which includes fitting and VAT at 17.5%.

Superchips, an established specialist in automotive electronics, has revised the programming of the computer controlling MINI's 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. As a result of this remapping, ignition timing and turbo boost limits have apparently both been improved.

Most of the performance can be accessed in the mid range, with 183lb.ft of torque available between 2,500- and 5,250rpm, alongside 20 newly gained horsepower. Superchips believes that such accessible power will improve the everyday performance of MINI's production model.

When compared to its rival, the John Cooper Works version, the Superchips Cooper S has more torque (206- to 192lb.ft) but loses out slightly on horsepower (195- to 211bhp). Also, we can't see why Superchips won't follow in the footsteps of John Cooper and extend the ECU upgrade to the Clubman and Convertible, along with forthcoming Countryman versions of the MINI.

Superchips has attempted to make the remapped Cooper S user friendly by running the engine on regular 95 octane forecourt fuel. The ECU can be installed by one of the 100 Superchips dealers in the UK and is covered under the firm's own 12-month, 30,000-mile warranty.

Kieran Fitzpatrick - 3 Feb 2010