In 1961, racing legend John Cooper unleashed the potential of the Classic Mini on the racing world. Though it wasn’t the biggest, fastest, or most powerful, this feisty underdog took the motorsports scene by storm, dominating opponents with its nimble handling, near perfect balance and innovative engine and wheel layout.
Our eponymous line of high-performance MINI – the John Cooper Works – carry his mantle forward. With enhanced tuning, upgraded parts and up to a 228-horsepower turbo engine, every John Cooper Works model is at home on the track and the highway.
Boasting award-winning, precision engines up to 228 horsepower, the John Cooper Works line is developed for those who demand the ultimate in performance engineering.
To harness the extra power, John Cooper Works MINI feature upgraded transmissions, oversized brakes, sport suspensions and a suite of top-line hardware.
With a full body aero kit, John Cooper Works wheels, colors and visual enhancements, John Cooper Works MINI separate themselves from the pack aesthetically, too.
With 228 turbocharged horses and race-ready tuning, this iconic high-performance MINI is the most powerful Hardtop we’ve ever made.
A 228-hp TwinPower Turbo engine, finely tuned Sport Suspension, and ALL4 all-wheel drive give the sophisticated Clubman the incomparable power to match its impeccable style.
Created for lovers of open tops and open throttles, this 228-hp convertible has a TwinPower Turbo engine, Aero Body Kit and exclusive performance upgrades throughout.
For adrenaline-fueled excursions, the biggest, most adventurous MINI yet gets our most powerful, 228-hp TwinPower Turbo engine, ALL4 all-wheel drive, and a Sport Suspension.
At the MINI Performance Driving School, expert instructors teach the fine art of high-performance driving using MINI John Cooper Works models. For an unforgettable experience, take a hot lap with a professional behind the wheel. Or, take the driver’s seat and unleash your inner racer with competitive autocross, stunt driving and more.
Building on decades of motorsport success, our pro race teams are conquering the competition, on and off the track. From our partnership with LAP Motorsports in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge to the Monster Energy X-Raid MINI team’s domination of the marathon Dakar Rally, we’re doing John Cooper proud.
MINI MOTORSPORTTo commemorate the 50-year anniversary of his historic, giant-slaying victory, 79-year-old racing legend Rauno Aaltonen once again took the helm of his classic Mini and tore through the streets of the 2017 Monte Carlo Rally.
This is the story of John Cooper’s rise to motorsports icon, told by those who were there, from his original design collaborators to the legendary rally drivers who made his MINI an international sensation.
In 1959, the first Classic Mini was introduced: an unassuming, inexpensive 4-person “saloon” that didn’t use a lot of gas or take up much space. At first, some people didn’t know quite what to make of this quirky little newcomer. But others, like legendary F1 builder John Cooper, began to get big ideas.
OUR FULL HISTORYOne of the gentlemen most intrigued by the Classic Mini’s racing potential was the legendary F1 car builder, John Cooper. Already famous for his unique and extremely successful rear-engine F1 designs and 16 Grand Prix wins, it was only natural that an auto company bold enough to defy convention by placing its engine differently (sideways) would impress him.
Cooper immediately recognized that the same features that made the Classic Mini such an innovative people mover – a transverse engine, four wheels pushed out to the corners and minimal size – also gave the car incredible balance, an extremely wide stance and amazing agility. Just the attributes needed to turn it into a small, but ferocious racer.
And so, in 1961, with a few tweaks to the engine, a set of slightly bigger brakes, and a new contrasting roof to make it stand out in the pack, the Classic Mini emerged from the Cooper Car Company garages as the Mini Cooper.
What happened next (much to the dismay of the competition) is that John Cooper’s grand hypothesis was proven correct. The Classic Mini Cooper and Cooper S went on to dominate the 1960’s race scene, winning almost every international competition imaginable, including historic wins at Monte Carlo in 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967.* And a car for the ages was born.
*In 1966, three Classic Mini Coopers actually took the top three spots, but were disqualified by the hometown French judges on a minor headlight infraction.
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