One Devil Of A Package
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday March 2, 2005
REMEMBER when Mini introduced its John Cooper Works pack for the Cooper and Cooper S models about 18 months ago?
Well, the JCW folks have not been sitting on their hands in the interim and instead turned their attention to dragging even more from the Mini.Enter, from stage left, the Red Devil, a Cooper S "Chilli" variant with 154 kilowatts and 245 newton metres of torque dragged from the supercharged donk, enough to run from 0-100 kmh in 6.6 seconds and on to a claimed 230 kmh.The performance kit, which can be retrofitted to older Minis, costs $9850 (including fitting) and is in the forefront of an accessories pack that includes 18-inch alloy wheels and special tyres ($4835), sports brakes ($1885) and matching suspension ($1430), carbon fibre interior and exterior trim packs ($2150.50 and $1190 respectively), sports seats ($5590 for the front, $2185 for the back) and a $2455 aero kit.? COCKAHOOP with greater than anticipated demand for its 1-Series cars, BMW Australia is about to add a third member to the family with the 116i joining the 118i and 120i models.The $34,900 116 runs with a 1.6-litre version of the double Vanos four-cylinder engine. With four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing the engine develops 85 kilowatts at 6000 rpm and 150 newton metres of torque at 4300.Standard features include six airbags, anti-lock brakes, corner braking control, stability and traction controls, dynamic braking control, 16-inch wheels with 195/55 run-flat tyres, rake and reach-adjustable steering wheel, six-speaker audio, trip computer and an electronic "dipstick" display.? THE highly successful Motoring Women program returns to the Hunter next week with a free workshop at Heritage Motors, Maitland.The course shows women how to deal with a breakdown, tyre changing, basic vehicle maintenance, self-defence and road safety tips. Start time is 7pm sharp and bookings should be made with the dealership on 4932 0779.? AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix media maestro Geoff Harris has parted company with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation less than a week before the F1 cars hit the Albert Park track.Harris, who has been with them since 1997, gave no reason for his departure other than to suggest that "circumstances. .. . were increasingly unsatisfactory to me".His former deputies, Fiona Taylor and Kirsty Nicholls, will man the pumps in Melbourne this weekend.
© 2005 Newcastle Herald