Mini South Africa has added a special edition model to its local Cooper S range, with the newcomer gaining an injection of extra power and some added styling features. Despite the accompanying image mysteriously showing smoke coming from the rear tyres, the newest model is indeed front-wheel drive, just like the Cooper S on which it is based.

Dubbed the Mini Cooper S Hatch 5-door Special Edition, the new derivative is priced at ZAR 506,226, which puts it at the very summit of the local hatchback range. Yes, that means it costs more than the 231 Hp JCW-fettled Mini hatch.


So, how much more power does the 2,0-litre turbopetrol mill produce in the special edition model, when compared to the standard Cooper S? Well, peak output rises some 19 Hp to 210 Hp, although it is available over a slightly narrower rev range (between 5000 and 6000 rpm, to be precise). Maximum torque is unchanged at 300 Nm.

Interestingly, the BMW-backed brand does not appear to list a claimed 0-100 km/h time for this new special edition – which employs a six-speed sports automatic transmission as standard – so it’s unclear whether it improves on the 6,8-second figure delivered by the Cooper S.


What else does that ZAR 83,700 price premium buy you? Well, the special edition boasts unique “melting silver” metallic paint, two-tone 18-inch alloys, a panorama sunroof, gloss-black light surrounds and carbon-effect mirror caps.

John Cooper Works styling packages have also been applied (inside and out), while a sports exhaust, sports suspension, rear parking sensors, leather seats and a handful more JCW-themed additions (such as the carbon tailpipe finisher) are also part of the deal.