Mini Cooper S

Mini Cooper S at a glance

R53 (2002–2006): supercharger and intercooler

BMW started building its new Mini hatch on 26 April 2001, and the quick R53 version followed. A UK press release of 18 March 2002 announced it for June at £14,500 (about €23,000). An Eaton Roots-type supercharger and an intercooler lifted the 1.6-litre engine to 120 kW (163 bhp) at 6,000 rpm and 210 Nm at 4,000 rpm. BMW claimed 7.4 seconds from 0 to 62 mph and 135 mph (217 km/h). Combined consumption was 8.4 l/100 km.

The list of standard equipment was long for a small car. It included four airbags, disc brakes on all wheels, ABS with cornering brake control and traction control. Sports suspension, 16-inch alloys on run-flat tyres and a roof spoiler completed it. Buyers chose between a six-speed Getrag manual and an Aisin automatic with paddles. The car weighed 1,215 kg. Final assembly took place at Cowley in Oxford, and the body panels came from nearby Swindon.

The R53 bowed out with the John Cooper Works GP of the 2006 model year. Bertone finished all 2,000 cars. They had 160 kW (218 PS) at 7,100 rpm and 250 Nm, and weighed about 40 kg less than the regular car.

R56 (2006–2013): the switch to turbocharging

The second generation arrived in November 2006. A 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbo engine of 129 kW (175 PS) replaced the supercharged unit, and an overboost function added 20 Nm under hard acceleration. Mini's figures were 7.1 seconds to 100 km/h and a 230 km/h top speed. Fuel use fell to 6.9 l/100 km combined, about 18 percent less than the R53's figure.

A John Cooper Works model sat above it, with 155 kW (211 PS) and 261 Nm, or 279 Nm on overboost. It reached 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and 237 km/h. The R56 GP, which Wikipedia's source dates to 2012, was again limited to 2,000 cars. It had 160 kW (218 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 280 Nm.

F56 (2014–2024): 2.0 litres and the last manual

Mini unveiled the third generation in November 2013 and began sales in 2014. The S now used BMW's 2.0-litre B48 turbo four-cylinder with 141 kW (192 PS) and 280 Nm. That was enough for 6.8 seconds to 100 km/h, or 6.7 seconds with the automatic, and 235 km/h. Besides Oxford, VDL Nedcar in Born, Netherlands, built the three-door car from July 2014 to February 2024. CarThrottle reports that an update later cut the rating to 131 kW (176 bhp) from 143 kW (192 bhp), and that the car had grown by about 150 mm in length since 2002.

A six-speed manual stayed on offer next to the seven-speed dual-clutch. According to evo, the 1to6 Edition was the last Mini with a manual gearbox. The F56 John Cooper Works had 170 kW (231 PS) and 320 Nm. The GP revealed in November 2019 went much further, with 225 kW (306 PS) and 450 Nm. It reached 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and 265 km/h, and Mini built 3,000. In the US it cost US$44,900 (about €39,300) for 2020.

Near the end of production evo listed the entry Classic version from £26,490 in 2024 (about €31,300). Our Mini Cooper F56 page describes this generation in detail, and the Mini Convertible F57 page covers the open version. The electric Cooper SE joined the F56 range with 135 kW (184 PS) and a 32.6 kWh battery. It reached 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.

F66 (since 2024): dual-clutch only

The fourth generation made its online debut on 6 February 2024. Its 2.0-litre turbo engine now delivers 150 kW (204 PS) and 300 Nm. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is the only choice; the manual has gone. Oxford builds the petrol car.

The electric version is a separate model, the J01, unveiled on 1 September 2023. Spotlight Automotive, a joint venture of BMW and Great Wall, has built it in Zhangjiagang, China, since October 2023. Its Cooper SE has 160 kW (218 PS), 330 Nm and a 54.2 kWh battery for a claimed 402 km. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and charges at up to 95 kW. Plans to build electric Minis in Oxford from 2026 were paused in 2025.

Four generations compared

From the R53 to the F66, power rose by 30 kW, or 25 percent, and torque by 90 Nm, or about 43 percent. The GP editions show a steeper climb: the F56 GP had 65 kW more than the two earlier GPs. Our power converter gives these outputs in hp or PS.

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