Technically, it’s only one door. However, 500 horsepower in a Mini could have dramatic effects.
In Hoonigan’s This series, we’ve seen some interesting drag racing cars. We usually mean very freaking wild, but this time it’s not just the cars that are fascinating. It’s their insanely fast speed, especially the Mini.
Although we don’t know the official name of this 1974 Mini, it is called Super Cooper. The back of the Mini has a 3.2-liter AcuraV6 motor. It’s bored to 3.5 liters, and topped with a supercharger that produces 500 horsepower (373 kilowatts). Although the Mini’s stance may be wider than stock in order to accommodate the mill and manual transaxle this is not a race car. The Mini has air conditioning and a touchscreen infotainment system in the dash.
The Mini’s competition is also very powerful and offers creature comforts. The Dodge Charger Hellcat is well-known. This 2016 model makes at least 1,000 horsepower (746 kilowatts). Although the owner is reluctant to reveal all of the upgrades, the 707-hp Hellcat engine is the base model, so it is not difficult to break the 1,000-hp mark.
This might seem like an open-and shut case for the Dodge. The Super Cooper has twice as much power as the Mini but is likely three times lighter than the large sedan. The exact weights of the Mini are not given, but the first three races will give you the information you need. The Mini leaps off the line spinning the tires like a madman, but not as badly as the Charger. It launches so abruptly that Cooper’s engine cover is ripped off. It’s pulled for the entire race. The Mini won the race by several car lengths. Super Cooper, indeed!
The Mini has a minor mechanical problem during the second race. This gives the Charger the victory. The final race is a roll race, where both cars have trouble with traction as the go down the track. The Charger’s superior speed pays off at the end, but the Mini is not far behind at the finish. The Cooper’s performance is so impressive that they hold a bonus race, this time from a standing start. While we won’t spoil the final outcome, we will say that it was amazing to see two completely different vehicles engaging in thrilling side-by-side racing.