Photos of Mini's long-awaited Mini lightweight coupe have been released to match the official details, and the verdict among enthusiasts is mixed. The lengthily named Cooper S John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit brings the diminutive Coop to 218 hp and 180 ft-lbs of torque, while shedding nearly 90lbs of excess fat. That's not enough, they say, to make it worth the $30,000+ plus exclusivity. US-based Miniheads are even more nonplussed, considering US Mini dealers will get only five cars starting in July of 2006, according to Motoring File.

MINIUMS Cooper S - John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit [Autoblog.it]

Related:
Lightweight Mini Cooper Sketches Leaked [internal]

Contact information for this author is not available.