When we found out Mini was developing a 5 door Cooper, we questioned it. When it finally showed up it did everything right, but we still kind of question it. Now Mini is trying to make it more appealing, by adding 20 hp with a new Carbon Edition.
Mini is doing their MINI thing where the size and price of their models just keep on rising, and for $37,100, you can get the fastest MINI Cooper 5 door (door with a little d) money can buy.
The Carbon Edition comes with a manual transmission standard, and adds $1,500 to the tag if you prefer/need an automatic. The power output gets bumped up to 208 horsepower compared to the 189 of the standard Cooper S, as well as two new driving modes, Sport and Track.
As the name suggests, you do get some carbon bits and pieces, but they’re more gimmicky than serious, including the air intake trim, mirrors, and exhaust tip finishers at the back. The exterior also gets the Midnight Black metallic paint with matte black sport and side stripes accompanied with a red accent stripe.
There’s also the option of adding the John Cooper Works Exterior Package to the car, which includes 17-inch black wheels, rear spoiler, and even more aggressive body kit. The option is $2,500 extra on the standard MINI Cooper 5 door (with a little d).
Inside the MINI Cooper 5 door (with a little d) comes with an 8.8 inch touch screen navigation system, fancy Harman/Kardon stereo setup, sunroof, heated seats, and JCW steering wheel.
Also, according to AutoGuide, the exhaust can be tuned wirelessly via Bluetooth:
With two clicks of the Bluetooth controller [it] can unleash “devilish backfire pops and crackling sound on the overrun.”
Does this Carbon Edition do the trick? Do you like the sound of the “MINI Cooper 5 door (with a little d) Carbon Edition,” the fastest MINI Cooper 5 door (with a little d) money can buy?
Contact the author at justin@jalopnik.com or @WestbrookTweets.