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2006 MINI Cooper Dragster news, pictures, and information | ||
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The MINI dragster body was constructed from a MINI cooper body shell. The body has been extensively modified from its stock condition by removing the interior, air conditioning, stereo and anything else that might add weight to the car. A super-light carbon fiber body panels including the hood, doors and boot lid added to the technical aspects of the body. All windows except for the front windshield were replaced with Lexan. A fire system was installed as well as a safety roll cage. A John Cooper Works aero-kit rounds out the body.
The engine, which was built by Fireball Tim Racing, consists of a stock MINI Cooper S block with lightweight pistons and a standard John Cooper Works head. The rods and crank are both stock. Induction is by a Garrett turbo mounted in front on a nitrous fogger, which in turn is mounted in front of the stock super-charger. The transmission is a stock 2005 MINI Cooper S transmission with the factory installed limited slip differential.
Built as both a show car and a racer, the dragster shows that a MINI is a fantastic platform for street customization or race modification. The Dragster, currently campaigned by Fireball Tim Racing, won 'Best Engineered' at the 2005 Hot Import Night show in Phoenix, AZ. It's best quarter mile time thus far has been 11.26 seconds at Palmdale Raceway and we are looking to better that in the upcoming season.
The engine, which was built by Fireball Tim Racing, consists of a stock MINI Cooper S block with lightweight pistons and a standard John Cooper Works head. The rods and crank are both stock. Induction is by a Garrett turbo mounted in front on a nitrous fogger, which in turn is mounted in front of the stock super-charger. The transmission is a stock 2005 MINI Cooper S transmission with the factory installed limited slip differential.
Built as both a show car and a racer, the dragster shows that a MINI is a fantastic platform for street customization or race modification. The Dragster, currently campaigned by Fireball Tim Racing, won 'Best Engineered' at the 2005 Hot Import Night show in Phoenix, AZ. It's best quarter mile time thus far has been 11.26 seconds at Palmdale Raceway and we are looking to better that in the upcoming season.
MINI ÚSA is featuring its one-of-a-kind record-breaking MINI dragster at the Chicago Auto Show February 10-19. The award-winning MINI holds the impressive title, 'World's Fastest MINI.' Also highlighted in Chicago are enhancements to MINI's 2006 model line, including several new packages and optional features. Most notable are a new Checkmate package and new factory-installed John Cooper Works package.
Record-Setting MINI Dragster The outrageous carbon fiber MINI dragster, created in collaboration wîth extreme California based tuner FIREBALL TIM RACING (FTR), wowed crowds at import and tuner shows and events this past fall. The car was equally as impressive on the drag strip. The MINI ÚSA/FTR dragster as the 'World's Fastest MINI' is potent, wîth the turbo, supercharged and nitrous powered MINI Cooper S dragster pulling a best-time of 11.26 seconds at 121.26 miles per hour in the quarter-mile run.
MINI ÚSA provided FTR wîth a carbon-fiber bodied, 1700lb MINI Cooper S wîth the John Cooper Works kit and a supply of parts and accessories to create the 500 horsepower, twin-charged drag monster. Hollywood car designer and constructor Fireball Tim (Lawrence), and partner, import drag racer and tuner, Hubie Fuh built the show-stopping MINI dragster. The two specialize in creating all forms of extreme, record-setting street and race cars.
At the Hot Import Nights in Phoenix, Arizona this fall, the extreme MINI beat 300 competitors to win the 'Best Engineered' award wîth its polished under-hood hardware and eye-catching graphics. The MINI ÚSA/FTR creation also made its drag strip debut this fall and has appeared at select events over the last several months, including SEMA in Las Vegas, NV, the NHRA Sport Compact World Finals in Pomona, CA, Hot Import Nights in Phoenix AZ and Hot Import Nights in Los Angeles, CA .
Fireball Tim Fireball Tim is famous for his many maniacal movie car designs from films like SON OF THE MASK, JÚRASSIC PARK and about 50 others. The Fireball Tim brand includes TV programming, toys, clothing, and candy sold in retail outlets nationwide, including Wal-Mart. More information about Fireball Tim and FTR can be found at www.fireballtim.com.
Checkmate Package New for 2006 While customers may not be able to order up an exotic MINI dragster at their MINI dealer, anyone can individualize their MINI to meet their desires. For 2006, MINI ÚSA offers even more ways for owners to individualize their MINI. Available on the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtop models, the Checkmate package features an exclusive exterior appearance wîth special Checkmate side decals, a rear spoiler and bonnet stripes. The custom Checkmate interior offers uniquely patterned cloth/leather sport seats, leather wrapped wheel and a high-gloss, specially patterned dash panel. An exclusive performance wheel and tire package, Dynamic Stability Control and font fog lamps round out the package's sporty orientation.
John Cooper Works Kit Now Factory-Installed MINI has now made the popular John Cooper Works performance upgrade available as a 2006 factory-installed option. In addition to the engine performance upgrade, the factory installation adds the John Cooper Works sport brake kit and a limited-slip differential. Along wîth the expanded line of John Cooper Works tuner accessories, MINI ÚSA will continue to offer the dealer-installed John Cooper Works engine performance kit.
MINI ÚSA also expands its line of optional equipment for 2006. New interior options include English Leather upholstery, a MINI 'Seven' high-gloss black dash panel and a MINI 'Park Lane' dash. Exterior options include roof, mirror caps and bonnet stripes now available in silver, new paint colors including Solar Red, Royal Grey and Space Blue and two new 15' no-cost wheel packages for the MINI Cooper.
MINI Hardtops and Convertibles The MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops and Convertibles continue to offer fun style and performance. The MINI Cooper and Cooper S are unmistakable, sporting a distinctive silhouette and signature contrast roof. MINI offers a line of roof decals to further highlight the distinctive appearance of the MINI hardtops, wîth choices such as a checkerboard pattern, the British 'Únion Jack' flag and even the American Flag to name a few. And MINI will always be famous for its responsive go-kart-like reflexes wîth its sport-tuned suspension, quick-ratio §teering and the wheels pushed to the four corners.
Fun in the sun is at the heart of the MINI Convertibles. A fully automatic convertible top wîth a heated glass rear window comes standard on the MINI Convertibles. However a truly innovative feature of the convertible top is an integrated power sliding sunroof feature. The sunroof allows for open air motoring and can be opened or closed while traveling at speeds of up to 75 miles-per-hour. From completely closed to fully opened, the top operation takes only fifteen seconds. When down, much of the top recesses below the rear deck, resulting in a very clean look and eliminating the need for a tonneau cover.Source - Mini USA
Record-Setting MINI Dragster The outrageous carbon fiber MINI dragster, created in collaboration wîth extreme California based tuner FIREBALL TIM RACING (FTR), wowed crowds at import and tuner shows and events this past fall. The car was equally as impressive on the drag strip. The MINI ÚSA/FTR dragster as the 'World's Fastest MINI' is potent, wîth the turbo, supercharged and nitrous powered MINI Cooper S dragster pulling a best-time of 11.26 seconds at 121.26 miles per hour in the quarter-mile run.
MINI ÚSA provided FTR wîth a carbon-fiber bodied, 1700lb MINI Cooper S wîth the John Cooper Works kit and a supply of parts and accessories to create the 500 horsepower, twin-charged drag monster. Hollywood car designer and constructor Fireball Tim (Lawrence), and partner, import drag racer and tuner, Hubie Fuh built the show-stopping MINI dragster. The two specialize in creating all forms of extreme, record-setting street and race cars.
At the Hot Import Nights in Phoenix, Arizona this fall, the extreme MINI beat 300 competitors to win the 'Best Engineered' award wîth its polished under-hood hardware and eye-catching graphics. The MINI ÚSA/FTR creation also made its drag strip debut this fall and has appeared at select events over the last several months, including SEMA in Las Vegas, NV, the NHRA Sport Compact World Finals in Pomona, CA, Hot Import Nights in Phoenix AZ and Hot Import Nights in Los Angeles, CA .
Fireball Tim Fireball Tim is famous for his many maniacal movie car designs from films like SON OF THE MASK, JÚRASSIC PARK and about 50 others. The Fireball Tim brand includes TV programming, toys, clothing, and candy sold in retail outlets nationwide, including Wal-Mart. More information about Fireball Tim and FTR can be found at www.fireballtim.com.
Checkmate Package New for 2006 While customers may not be able to order up an exotic MINI dragster at their MINI dealer, anyone can individualize their MINI to meet their desires. For 2006, MINI ÚSA offers even more ways for owners to individualize their MINI. Available on the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtop models, the Checkmate package features an exclusive exterior appearance wîth special Checkmate side decals, a rear spoiler and bonnet stripes. The custom Checkmate interior offers uniquely patterned cloth/leather sport seats, leather wrapped wheel and a high-gloss, specially patterned dash panel. An exclusive performance wheel and tire package, Dynamic Stability Control and font fog lamps round out the package's sporty orientation.
John Cooper Works Kit Now Factory-Installed MINI has now made the popular John Cooper Works performance upgrade available as a 2006 factory-installed option. In addition to the engine performance upgrade, the factory installation adds the John Cooper Works sport brake kit and a limited-slip differential. Along wîth the expanded line of John Cooper Works tuner accessories, MINI ÚSA will continue to offer the dealer-installed John Cooper Works engine performance kit.
MINI ÚSA also expands its line of optional equipment for 2006. New interior options include English Leather upholstery, a MINI 'Seven' high-gloss black dash panel and a MINI 'Park Lane' dash. Exterior options include roof, mirror caps and bonnet stripes now available in silver, new paint colors including Solar Red, Royal Grey and Space Blue and two new 15' no-cost wheel packages for the MINI Cooper.
MINI Hardtops and Convertibles The MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops and Convertibles continue to offer fun style and performance. The MINI Cooper and Cooper S are unmistakable, sporting a distinctive silhouette and signature contrast roof. MINI offers a line of roof decals to further highlight the distinctive appearance of the MINI hardtops, wîth choices such as a checkerboard pattern, the British 'Únion Jack' flag and even the American Flag to name a few. And MINI will always be famous for its responsive go-kart-like reflexes wîth its sport-tuned suspension, quick-ratio §teering and the wheels pushed to the four corners.
Fun in the sun is at the heart of the MINI Convertibles. A fully automatic convertible top wîth a heated glass rear window comes standard on the MINI Convertibles. However a truly innovative feature of the convertible top is an integrated power sliding sunroof feature. The sunroof allows for open air motoring and can be opened or closed while traveling at speeds of up to 75 miles-per-hour. From completely closed to fully opened, the top operation takes only fifteen seconds. When down, much of the top recesses below the rear deck, resulting in a very clean look and eliminating the need for a tonneau cover.Source - Mini USA
The British Motor Corporation came into existence in 1952 by the merging of two manufacturers, Nuffield Motors and Austin. Nuffield was known for its Morris line of vehicles, while Austin had its 'Seven' model line. The transition for the two manufacturers was difficult and had been forced out of necessity. After World War II, many vehicle manufacturers could not stay in business due to destroyed factories, recovering economies, strained resources, and lack of funds. Combining the two companies was a means to stay in business.
A fuel shortage was occurring. German engineers quickly adapted and began producing fuel-efficient vehicles. Examples include the Volkswagen Beetle. Leonard Lord, Chairman of BMC and former head of Austin, commissioned Sir Alec Issigonis to design a vehicle to compete with the German-made vehicles.
Alec Issigonis was a graduate of Battersea Technical College. After graduation he worked as a draftsman for a plethora of engineering projects. Later, he joined Morris Motors where he was tasked with creating and fitting suspensions to the Morris vehicles.
Issigonis was outfitted with requirements to create a fuel-efficient, affordable, safe vehicle capable of carrying four individuals including luggage. To save on development costs, it was requested that an existing BMC engine be used. What he created was a vehicle that sat atop of 10 inch wheels. By using smaller wheels there was little need for wheel wells.
The car was expected to carry four individuals; the combined weight of the passengers being greater than the entire vehicle. A suspension was needed that could accept this pay-load. With his prior experience creating and working with suspensions, Issigonis designed a rubber cone suspension.
A 950 cc, four cylinder, BMC engine was selected. It was mounted in the front and expected to power the front wheels, a system that was revolutionary at the time. Instead of mounting the engine longitudinally, it was place transversely. The transmission was place under the engine due to space constraints.
When Issigonis presented his designs and recommendations to Lord in 1958, changes were requested. Instead of the 950 cc engine, a 34 horsepower, 848 cc engine would be used, making the vehicle slower but more importantly, more safe. The other request was to make the vehicle two inches wider.
There were two versions of the car when it was first introduced on August 26, 1959. The only difference between the 1959 Austin and Morris versions was their badges.
John Cooper had designed vehicles that successfully won the Formula One championships in 1959 and 1960.
He proposed a marriage between his 1000 cc Formula Junior engine with the Mini. Lord approved the idea and in 1961 the Mini Cooper was born. It was fitted with a 997 cc engine producing 55 horsepower. Later, the Cooper S came into being with the advent of the 970 cc and the 1275 cc engine - the latter capable of 76 horsepower.
From 1964 through 1967 the little car dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. The car easily achieved these victories using a 91 horsepower engine.
Minis became more than just a practical car, they became a fashion statement. This, combined with their practicality, fuel efficiency, and success on the race track, created an overwhelming demand for the little car.
In the 1980's, the Mini was starting to loose momentum. Rover tried to revitalize the Mini brand by creating special editions. In all, there were more than 40 different editions created between 1980 and 2000.
A merger with British Motor Corporation and another company produced the Britsh Leyland Company. Later, it became Rover Group. Currently, it is owned by BMW.
In 2001, BMW introduced the MINI. The MINI currently has three Cooper models. Their main differences being the size of the engine and the horsepower rating. A convertible has also been included to the line-up.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
A fuel shortage was occurring. German engineers quickly adapted and began producing fuel-efficient vehicles. Examples include the Volkswagen Beetle. Leonard Lord, Chairman of BMC and former head of Austin, commissioned Sir Alec Issigonis to design a vehicle to compete with the German-made vehicles.
Alec Issigonis was a graduate of Battersea Technical College. After graduation he worked as a draftsman for a plethora of engineering projects. Later, he joined Morris Motors where he was tasked with creating and fitting suspensions to the Morris vehicles.
Issigonis was outfitted with requirements to create a fuel-efficient, affordable, safe vehicle capable of carrying four individuals including luggage. To save on development costs, it was requested that an existing BMC engine be used. What he created was a vehicle that sat atop of 10 inch wheels. By using smaller wheels there was little need for wheel wells.
The car was expected to carry four individuals; the combined weight of the passengers being greater than the entire vehicle. A suspension was needed that could accept this pay-load. With his prior experience creating and working with suspensions, Issigonis designed a rubber cone suspension.
A 950 cc, four cylinder, BMC engine was selected. It was mounted in the front and expected to power the front wheels, a system that was revolutionary at the time. Instead of mounting the engine longitudinally, it was place transversely. The transmission was place under the engine due to space constraints.
When Issigonis presented his designs and recommendations to Lord in 1958, changes were requested. Instead of the 950 cc engine, a 34 horsepower, 848 cc engine would be used, making the vehicle slower but more importantly, more safe. The other request was to make the vehicle two inches wider.
There were two versions of the car when it was first introduced on August 26, 1959. The only difference between the 1959 Austin and Morris versions was their badges.
John Cooper had designed vehicles that successfully won the Formula One championships in 1959 and 1960.
He proposed a marriage between his 1000 cc Formula Junior engine with the Mini. Lord approved the idea and in 1961 the Mini Cooper was born. It was fitted with a 997 cc engine producing 55 horsepower. Later, the Cooper S came into being with the advent of the 970 cc and the 1275 cc engine - the latter capable of 76 horsepower.
From 1964 through 1967 the little car dominated the Monte Carlo Rally. The car easily achieved these victories using a 91 horsepower engine.
Minis became more than just a practical car, they became a fashion statement. This, combined with their practicality, fuel efficiency, and success on the race track, created an overwhelming demand for the little car.
In the 1980's, the Mini was starting to loose momentum. Rover tried to revitalize the Mini brand by creating special editions. In all, there were more than 40 different editions created between 1980 and 2000.
A merger with British Motor Corporation and another company produced the Britsh Leyland Company. Later, it became Rover Group. Currently, it is owned by BMW.
In 2001, BMW introduced the MINI. The MINI currently has three Cooper models. Their main differences being the size of the engine and the horsepower rating. A convertible has also been included to the line-up.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2007
Three generations of driving fun: The MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S through the years.
For three generations and over 50 years, the Cooper name has identified a MINI offering even more in the way of driving fun. The idea, hatched by brilliant Formula One designer John Cooper, to fuel the agile small car wîth an extra hit of performance and turn it into a sporting machine for the road and track has lost none of its appeal. But the Cooper has never been about horsepower, as a comparison between the classic Mini and its two successors resoundingly proves. The key here is the basic principle of the creative use of space, combined wîth the inimitable go-kart feeling that runs like a thread through the three generations of the legendary small car. These famous handling traits are enjoyed by drivers on bendy country roads and city streets around the world, wîth the classic Mini and 21st-century MINI still regularly crossing each other's path.The small British car positively craves twists and turns demanding quick and precise changes in direction; this is where it feels most at home. The classic Mini was tailor-made for tackling hairpins and corner-strewn roads, and it still looks the part today – aided by the healthy 46 kW/63 hp available in a Mini Cooper towards the end of its production run. The classic Cooper was built up to autumn 2000, by which time its successor was already twitching in the starting blocks. In contrast to the original Mini, the new model was available in Cooper guise from the outset. And wîth 85 kW/115 hp under the bonnet, it would do its nameplate proud. From the word go, the car's powerplant and chassis formed a harmonious alliance to deliver unbeatable driving fun. As John Cooper realised, sometimes you actually can't have too much of a good thing. 50 years ago he unveiled the 70 hp Mini Cooper S. And today, its youngest descendant places 135 kW/184 hp at the disposal of its driver. As if that wasn't enough, the turbocharged engine powering the latest MINI Cooper S also sets the benchmark for efficiency in its output class.
When Alec Issigonis set out to develop a new small car for the British Motor Corporation in the mid-1950s, his priorities were space and price. Indeed, at a touch over three metres in length, the classic Mini offered astonishingly generous accommodation for passengers and their gear alike. Issigonis settled on a front transverse installation for the four-cylinder engine, under which lay the gearbox, plumb between the wheels. The positioning of those wheels at the far corners of the car and the Mini's short overhangs did the rest. The Mini was small on the outside but roomy on the inside, not to mention – at around 600 kilograms – extremely light. The principles underpinning its design remain the template for small and compact cars in the modern era.
However, it was left to another key figure in the brand's history to uncover the vast well of sporting talent under that diminutive shell. John Cooper, a friend and business partner of Mini creator Issigonis and winner of two Formula One constructors' world titles, was quick to spot the car's dynamic potential, and in 1961 the first Mini Cooper hit the roads. Production of the Cooper was temporarily suspended in the 1970s, but by that time the Mini Cooper badge had long since become the signature of a sporty and agile small car.
As well as the intervention of John Cooper, the launch of this famous sporting career also relied on the brilliance of the classic Mini's chassis. Issigonis had broken new ground wîth the §teering and suspension of his new creation, and in so doing laid the foundations for the go-kart feeling appreciated by drivers to this day. Homokinetic joints reduced torque steer, a subframe (to which the rear wheels were fixed) improved directional stability, and rubber springs and small telescopic dampers ensured accurate responses and progressive spring action. The wealth of ideas packed into this small car still impresses. And the result of those ideas – the classic Mini's much-celebrated handling – explains why the car continues to enjoy such a loyal community of fans. When the successor to the original car came along in 2001, it was clear that highly advanced chassis technology would be needed in order to set the pace in driving fun all over again. The MINI Cooper rose to the challenge in some style, thanks to MacPherson spring struts at the front axle, axle shafts equal in length, a multi-link rear axle unique in the small car §egmènt, disc brakes on all four wheels, and DSC (Dynamic Stability Control).
The latest-generation MINI Cooper S also features Electric Power Steering wîth Servotronic function and a DSC system including DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and an electronic locking function for the front axle differential. Known as Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), this system gives the MINI a crucial edge through the tight bends of Alpine passes, for example, by braking a spinning wheel as required to enhance drive out of corners as well as the car's §teering properties. Added to which, pressing the standard Sport Button in the MINI Cooper S makes the §teering even more direct and stirs up a particularly sporty soundtrack from the engine. All of this was unimaginable 50 years ago, of course, but you get the impression John Cooper would have wholeheartedly approved.Source - BMW
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| Extreme driving fun, individuality and premium quality: MINI John Cooper Works at the Essen Motor Show 2012. | |
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 2006
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| MINI Cooper John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit | 2006 MINI Concepts |
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| MINI Concept Geneva |
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