Mini launched a limited version of the Cooper S called the Carbon Edition. Limited to only 20 units, the Carbon Edition can only be booked online exclusively on Amazon with a booking amount of Rs 50,000. The booking can be made through any of the five authorised dealers in Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. In addition to Carbon Edition, there is also a Wired Package available for the car, which further increases the cost to Rs 41.5 lakh.
Christened as the fastest, loudest and most powerful Mini on sale in India, the Carbon edition will be imported as a CBU. The standard Mini Cooper S has been rejigged with a John Cooper Works’ tuning kit. This ups the power from 189bhp to 210bhp and torque rises from 280Nm to 300Nm. As a result, the car accelerates to a ton in around 6.5seconds. The tuning kit also includes carbon fibre exhaust tailpipes, JCW aerodynamic body kit, and a valve exhaust system which comes with an interesting Bluetooth control. There are three driving modes to choose from –Green, MID and Sports. The suspension set up can be altered with Electronic Damper Control depending on the selected driving mode.
The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is mated to a six-speed steering wheel mounted paddle shifting automatic transmission. In addition, there is a launch control feature as well. The power is sent to those lovely gloss finished 17-inch alloy wheels, sitting on a fatter 205mm profile run-flat tyres.
On the outside the JCW kit augments an aggressive front bumper, there is a ‘carbon’ decal on the doors, redesigned headlights and taillights with LED, John Cooper Works badging and door sills, matte black and red pinstripe running down the roof, across the bonnet and on the doors. There are three colours to choose from – midnight black, thunder grey and pepper white.
Step inside and you are welcomed by the John Cooper sports seat finished in black Alcantara with contrasting red highlights and the anthracite finished headliner. The same treatment continues with the dashboard, armrest and door panels. A 6.6-inch infotainment screen occupies the central dashboard whereas an 8.8-inch with touchpad control is available in the ‘wired package’. The package includes an additional heads-up display, Bluetooth mobile connectivity, and navigation system.
Safety is taken care of by ABS, dual airbags, brake assist, stability control, crash sensors, cornering brake control and a run-flat indicator. Then there are additional features like an auto start-stop function, brake energy recuperation, shift point display and electromechanical power steering.
The new booking process can be done as follows – book the car online and provide the contact details, within 24 hours of payment of booking amount, the respective dealer will follow up. All the remaining registration formalities and payment will need to be done at the dealership, after which you’ll receive a delivery confirmation and the car will be delivered at your doorstep.