Taking the higher level of thermal and mechanical loads into account, a number of components such as the crankshaft, pistons, valves, radiator and engine management parameters have been modified on the new engine. Compression, in turn, has been reduced from 10.6:1 on the MINI Cooper to 8.3:1 on the MINI Cooper S. Bore and stroke are exactly the same as on the MINI Cooper. The exhaust system has also been tailored specifically to this top model, the responsible engineers focusing in particular on a deep, rumbling sound properly reflecting the car's superior performance. Accordingly, the agility of the MINI Cooper S is borne out not only through the car's superior performance, but also as an emotional, sensual experience.
Driven by a tooth belt, the compressor, unlike an exhaust gas turbocharger, does not have the usual time-lag in its response, but rather builds up torque harmoniously until peaking at 210 Newton metres or 155 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. Benefitting from drive-by-wire technology using an electric motor instead of a conventional gas cable operating the throttle butterfly, the engine is extremely spontaneous in its response to the gas pedal.
In conjunction with unladen weight of 1,140 kg, this outstanding potential gives this nimble four-seater a level of performance otherwise offered only by the most dynamic cars in higher segments of the market. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h comes in a mere 7.4 seconds, the topspeed of the MINI Cooper S is 218 km/h.