Mini Cooper S news - Just to shut you up... - 2007

The whining nearly paid off. Last week, when we brought you news of Mini's Mini's track-only JCW Challenge car, we had a good moan that we wouldn't be allowed to drive it on the road.

And now, perhaps by way of appeasement (but more likely just to shut us up) Mini has announced a new John Cooper Works kit add-on kit for the Cooper S.

No, it won't quite turn your Mini into a trackday special, but it all sounds rather nice: the kit boosts the power of the Cooper S from 175bhp to 192bhp, while torque jumps 10lb ft to 247lb ft.

That's good for a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds - down 0.3 seconds on the standard Cooper S - and a top speed of 144mph. The kit also tweaks the engine management system for better responsiveness through the engine range.

If you want a bit of extra plastic to complement your go-faster powertrain, JCW will also provide you with a body kit, carbon fibre bits and set of neat-looking 18-inch light alloy wheels.

We'll still take the Challenge track car though, thanks. Don't think we're done griping yet, Mini.