Both were revolutionary and triumphant: in the summertime of 1959 Alec Issigonis presented his concept for a minor car which, with its transverse-mounted front four-cylinder engine and space for 4 occupants plus baggage, was to become a byword for economy of space and driving fun. That same year, sports car constructor John Cooper won his first Formula One World Title title with Jack Brabham at the wheel. 50 years on, the MINI John Cooper Works Globe Championship 50 evokes both the kickoff of the triumphal path of the classic Mini as well as victory in the F1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championship for John Cooper's racing team.

This MINI special edition was inspired by John Cooper's son, Mike. His signature appears on the facia and on one of the bonnet stripes. It volition have a limited production run of 250 units and was unveiled to the public at the 2009 MINI United Festival in Silverstone. The machine is based on the MINI John Cooper Works and driven by a 155 kW/211 hp four-cylinder engine with Twin-Scroll turbocharger and petrol direct injection. The production version of the MINI John Cooper Works Globe Title 50 features numerous exterior and interior details reflecting the racing pedigree of the make.

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The bodywork of the MINI John Cooper Works Globe Championship 50 comes in a new color for MINI, namely Connaught Green – harking back to the famous colour of British race cars of the 1950s and 60s era. It is combined with the roof and bonnet stripes in Pepper White. The green with the white bonnet stripes mirror the color concept of the Cooper F1 cars. The specification of these colours was provided by Mike Cooper giving the machine its authenticity. Mike was consulted throughout the development by the MINI Pattern section. Mike's full name is "John" Michael Cooper and he signs himself John Cooper. His signature appears on one bonnet stripe and on a facia plaque. Farther accentuating the competitive graphic symbol of the special edition are the John Cooper Works aerodynamics package and John Cooper Works Cross Spoke Claiming light-alloy wheels in Jet Blackness.
Designed for farthermost sporting fun exterior and in.

Ensuring both an optimal view and a striking wait are bi-xenon headlights with black interior surfaces and additional driving lights with black housings. The MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 also features a plethora of carbon fibre features, amidst them the bonnet scoop on the bonnet, rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and tailgate handle. These provide the link to the modernistic racing era. Special numbering on the side scuttles finishers identifies each MINI John Cooper Works World Championship fifty as an individual entity of an exclusive express series.

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Regarding the interior color and trim, the racing theme is maintained by Carbon Blackness overlaid by subtle sporty red touches. The full leather sports seats come in black with red piping and the red theme is perpetuated with co-ordinating red knee-rolls, armrests and red stitching on the floor mats, gearshift & handbrake gaiters. Facia, and door grip finishers keep the carbon fibre theme, as does the John Cooper Works insert on the Sports Steering Wheel, which has an Alcantara rim conceived for sporty driving fun.

Technology from the race track: four-cylinder engine with 155 kW/211 hp.

Similar the design features of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship fifty, the power source under its bonnet is similarly defined by the racing competence of MINI John Cooper Works. This 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit is based on the engine of the MINI John Cooper Works CHALLENGE that was first fielded in the 2008 MINI CHALLENGE. It provides 155 kW/211 hp and develops maximum torque of 260 Newton metres between one 850 and 5 600 rpm, which tin even be briefly increased to 280 Nm cheers to an overboost feature. Power transmission is via a six-speed transmission gearbox.

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All this enables the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship fifty to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in merely 6.5 seconds, going on to a top speed of 238 km/h. Average consumption in the EU test cycle is 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres, with a CO2 effigy of 165 grams per kilometre.
Likewise key to the superior performance of the MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 is its suspension technology, which is unique for this vehicle class. In addition to the McPherson struts on the front axle and a central-arm rear axle otherwise not institute in the pocket-sized auto segment, electromechanical power steering (EPS) also helps guarantee safe and thrillingly precise handling. A Sport push (also standard) on the eye console activates a palpably more dynamic setting with sharper steering response and enhanced precision. In keeping with this, the Sport push also switches the accelerator pedal command map to an even sportier mode. The big sports restriction system with red aluminium callipers guarantees short stopping distances. It responds with precision and brake power tin exist finely applied.

Standard equipment as well features Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Colina Assist, Dynamic Traction Command (DTC) and Brake Assist. With DTC switched off, furthermore, an Electronic Differential Lock Control system (likewise fitted as standard) is activated for the drive axle, supporting more dynamic driving when accelerating out of corners or switchbacks, for case.

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50 years ago: revolutionary concepts pb to success.
The MINI John Cooper Works Earth Title 50 is the youngest and at the same fourth dimension the most intriguing result of a long motor sport tradition shared by the MINI and John Cooper Works brands. Even before the classic Mini was launched onto the market, sports car constructor John Cooper had been casting his eye on this revolutionary new small car. A heave in engine output and a few minor tweaks rapidly transformed what was above all a practical two-door car into a thoroughly competitive sports motorcar. In the 1960s the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S models made their marker as serial winners both in rally racing and on the race track. Absolute highlights in the racing career of the classic Mini are its three overall wins in the Monte Carlo Rally of 1964, 1965 and 1967.

Every bit a close friend and concern partner of Mini creator Alec Issigonis, John Cooper paved the mode for – and gave his name to – these Mini variants that were to evidence so successful in the sporting arena. The man who recognised the competitive potential of the Mini early on then systematically capitalised on it had previously already created a revolution on the earth'due south race tracks. He was the first constructor, along with his father Charles Cooper, to field a mid-engined sports car in the Formula One World Championship. In doing so, the team set up a trailblazing trend for the entire motor sport sector. In 1959 and 1960, Cooper race cars scooped upwards the Constructors' and Drivers' championship in the Formula Ane World Championship – a first in racing history for mid-engined models. Information technology was a concept that caught on: to this day, all Formula I cars are built according to this principle.

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fifty years on, the legendary British race track at Silverstone provided the perfect backdrop for the world premiere of the MINI John Cooper Works World Title 50. From 22 to 24 May 2009, MINI fans from effectually the earth celebrated the 50th ceremony of the brand at the MINI United Festival. They gathered together to enjoy an heady programme of live performances by meridian stars from the international music scene, lifestyle activity in typical MINI style, and countless intriguing glimpses of the brand heritage. There was of course plenty of racing action besides: Silverstone hosted two rounds of the current German MINI CHALLENGE – reason enough to expect back on a racing history as successful equally it is diverse.

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[Source: BMW ]