Don't be fooled by the childish name: this car is anything but childish.
A V8 is something that we as petrolheads are all excited about. Now perhaps more than ever, because it is a dying breed. One of the most memorable V8s of the past 20 years is the naturally aspirated 4.0 liter ‘S65’ V8, which was specially developed for the now legendary E90 M3.
A fantastic block, but an M3 is a bit on the heavy side. An interesting hypothetical question is therefore: what if you take this block and spoon it into a compact car? A Mini for example. Well, that's no longer a hypothetical question. British Powerflex was crazy enough to actually cram the S65 V8 under the hood of a Mini. The result is this ‘Vini’.
Powerflex is a shop that normally supplies suspension components, so converting Minis is not their core business. This car is therefore primarily a sign. But, let's be honest, it is a very nice sign.
< p>Powerflex has taken a Mini Cooper S of the R56 generation as the basis for the Vini. Then we are talking about the second generation New Mini. By default, this delivered 174 hp, but that has now suddenly become 420. Of course, the Mini has not become lighter as a result of this transplant, but 1,300 kg is still not too bad for a car with a V8. Still saves 250 kg compared to an M3.
< p>In addition to the V8, the gearbox has also been transferred from the M3 to the Mini. The Vini therefore has a seven-speed DCT gearbox. The drastic changes don't stop there. To make everything fit, Powerflex used the subframe of an Impreza WRX STi. Few parts of the chassis have remained original either.
The interior has not remained intact either. In fact, it has been completely stripped. Instead of the original furniture, there are now two Cobra bucket seats and a roll cage. This makes this Mini look like a real track toy, but don't worry: this Mini is still street legal. Or maybe that should scare you.
A Mini with an M3 V8: you don't just want to see it, but also hear it. That's possible tomorrow. Then the car will make its debut at the annual speed festival in Goodwood, also known as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.