The long-awaited John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the incredible new turbocharged MINI Cooper S has arrived in Australia.

The sports version of the world’s favourite premium small car gains an additional power boost, adding yet more wicked smiles per mile to MINI Cooper S ownership.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S spikes the 1.6-litre twin scroll turbo engine’s output to an impressive 141 kW (or 192 bhp), a 10 percent increase.

Maximum torque also rises from 240 Nm to 250 Nm between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm while for sling-shot bursts of overtaking nirvana, the turbo engine Overboost function spirals the torque briefly to a heady 270 Nm between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm.

The resulting acceleration improvement over the standard 2007 MINI Cooper S is significant.

The 0-100 km/h time for the six-speed manual transmission model drops from a brisk 7.1 seconds to a rapid-fire 6.8 seconds, while in-gear acceleration is also improved.

A MINI Cooper S equipped with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will rush from 80-120 km/h in just 5.3 seconds in fourth gear (5.5 seconds in a standard MINI Cooper S). The same 80-120 km/h acceleration takes 6.6 seconds in fifth gear (7.0 standard car) and 7.6 seconds in sixth gear (8.0), underlining the low and mid-range boost the new turbocharged engine delivers.

Compared with the standard MINI Cooper S, top speed is now 232 km/h (145 mph), up from 225 km/h (where legal).

Fuel consumption and emissions are unchanged from the standard MINI Cooper S according to the European composite cycle test. The John Cooper Works equipped MINI Cooper S will return 6.9 l/100 km on the test cycle and emit just 164 g/km of CO2.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S consists of a freer-flowing twin pipe sports exhaust system; a sports high-flow air filter and intake box; and an electronic engine management system optimised for greater power efficiency. The resulting package fires the MINI Cooper S to new performance peaks and even greater driving fun.

The air box that comes with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit features a larger aperture to allow more fresh air to enter though a special low restriction filter element. In addition to dramatically increasing the airflow, the new air box creates a more powerful induction sound that compliments the impressive growl from the new performance exhaust.

The enhanced Electronic Control Unit (ECU) programming has been recalibrated to optimise power output and driveability, resulting in lively throttle response and increased acceleration in the mid-range torque band. The reprogramming optimises the power output by managing all engine control functions including airflow, combustion, fuel delivery and spark advance.

The stainless steel Sport Exhaust System is a parallel-flow, low backpressure system with superb interior and exterior noise quality. The system adds a throatier, more powerful exhaust note, and has distinctive-looking twin chrome exhaust tips engraved with the John Cooper Works logos.

To warn potential rivals, there’s a discrete John Cooper Works badge for the front grille and the tailgate, while under the bonnet there’s a John Cooper works logo on the top of the airbox.

As with the previous generation car, the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit is only available via the nationwide network of MINI Garages. Fitting time is approximately half a day, a shorter time frame because there is no cylinder head exchange this time.

The 2007 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works kit is available from $3,800 including GST, but not including fitting, which must be done at a MINI Garage.

The Tuning Kit can also be fitted to the six-speed automatic transmission MINI Cooper S.

The Tuning Kit was jointly designed by BMW and The Cooper Car Company Ltd. There are no plans to fit this kit at the factory at Oxford.

Putting motor racing passion into every drive is an accompanying range of authentic John Cooper Works accessories, both cosmetic and mechanical, all of which allow owners to build their most exciting cars yet.

These pulse-quickening features include a sports chassis, front perforated brake discs and 18-inch light alloy wheels. These options can be ideally combined with numerous other features from the John Cooper Works accessory range which equally enhance the car’s sporting spirit: with body-coloured aerodynamics packages, John Cooper Works sports seats, John Cooper Works sports steering wheel and selected carbon-fibre interior fittings.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper S includes race-bred components. This most powerful version of the new MINI thus carries on a tradition which dates back to the legendary racing success of MINI and John Cooper Works in the 1960s.

And the sporty look of the new MINI Cooper S can be further refined with the appropriate ingredients from the John Cooper Works collection.

The sports chassis not only ensures even more agile handling but also lowers the suspension by 10 mm. In keeping with this, John Cooper Works provides a colour-coded aerodynamic body kit which consists of a front and rear apron and side sills as well as a selection of 18-inch light allow wheels – the “Double Spoke” design has a particularly agile look.

The largest wheel authorised for the new MINI (dimensions 7J x 18) has low-profile run-flat safety tyres sized at 205/40/18.

The perforated brake discs are also borrowed from classic racing technology.

Carbon-fibre exterior treatments extend to trim panels for the front air inlet, exterior mirrors and tailgate handle, the latter items also suitable for the MINI Cooper models.

A John Cooper Works roof spoiler in carbon fibre is also available for the new MINI, while inside there are sports seats that not only look great but also provide improved lateral support for dynamic driving.

A new feature offered with the R56 generation cars is the John Cooper Works sports steering wheel. It is available either with leather or alcantara wrapping, allowing the driver to choose between looks or functionality or both.

In addition, the range of custom features available to MINI buyers continues to expand. In addition to extra driving lamps, and illuminated sill covers, owners can have the rear view mirror back and door mirror backs finished in Union jacks or chequered flag designs, as well as for the door handle trims.

Finally the roof decal list grows to include a handy helicopter landing pad motif (owners are advised to take care when parking at the airport).

MINI-specific roof and rear carrier systems enable the safe transport of bicycles, skis, snowboards or roof boxes. The especially useful options also include high-quality textile floor mats, a rear protective cover, a luggage compartment tub and folding sun blinds.

“The new MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will give our most ardent performance fans a boost,” said Justin Hocevar, National Manager, MINI.

“The turbocharged performance of the standard 128 kW MINI Cooper S, especially with Overboost is a joy to drive quickly, but the acceleration in cars fitted with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit moves to another level.

“The kit also further reinforces the extra mid-range grunt, especially in fourth gear, that the turbocharged engine delivers.

“The John Cooper Works kit turns a fast car into a real flier. And now with the kit’s more affordable price point I am sure we will experience a high level of demand from our owners,” Justin said.