Mini announces its most potent factory built car yet.

The Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit is now available ex-works.

From August production, the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit is being built alongside Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S models on the Oxford production line.

Previously, the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit had been retro fitted by Mini dealerss around Australia.

Now, Australian Mini buyers can order the hot-shot 154 kW 1.6-litre supercharged engine version (with 254 Nm of torque) direct from Oxford.

For Australian buyers, any Mini Cooper S ordered with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit also includes additional specification, comprising the powerful John Cooper Works brakes package.

This is a comprehensive upgrade with bigger brake rotors and pistons, larger swept area and new compound brake pad linings. The callipers are finished in an attractive racing red.

The traditional highly-polished chrome double tailpipe is also included along with John Cooper Works badging front and rear.

Pricing for the new John Cooper Works Tuning Kit option is set at $8,800 above the cost of the regular 125 kW Mini Cooper S or Mini Cooper S Chilli and is available only with six-speed manual transmission.

All manual transmission Mini Cooper S models feature a Limited Slip Differential as standard.

The hottest factory-built Mini Cooper S yet will be available as a hardtop or a convertible.

A Mini Cooper S fitted with the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit in hardtop guise has a top speed of 230 km/h (223 km/h Cabrio) and reaches 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds (6.8 Cabrio). Mid-range acceleration is scintillating, the 80-120 km/h rush covered in just 5.4 seconds (5.9 seconds Cabrio).

The engine modifications comprise a modified cylinder head with higher compression, uprated engine electronics and higher flow injectors and John Cooper Works air intake and filter.

Mike Cooper, managing director of John Cooper Works, has been heavily involved in the introduction of the new model at Plant Oxford.

He said: “I’m pleased that the partnership with the new Mini has been such a success. The kits offered as a factory fit option shows how closely we work together and will provide us at John Cooper Works more time to develop further high performance products.”

Since it was introduced into Australia in mid 2003, the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit has been fitted to more than 200 Mini Cooper S models by Mini dealers.

The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for the Mini Cooper S will continue to be available as a retrofit item through the Mini dealer network Australia wide.

Mini Cooper S hardtop pricing
Mini Cooper S 6-speed manual $38,900
Mini Cooper S 6-speed automatic $41,100
Mini Cooper S Chilli 6-speed manual $41,900
Mini Cooper S Chilli 6-speed automatic $44,100
Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit 6-speed manual $47,700
Mini Cooper S Chilli with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit 6-speed manual $50,700

Mini Cooper S Cabrio pricing
Mini Cooper S Cabrio 6-speed manual $45,900
Mini Cooper S Cabrio 6-speed automatic $48,100
Mini Cooper S Cabrio 6-speed manual with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit $54,700