Performance MINI

27/02/2026

Packing 300hp into a MINI Clubman isn’t about novelty — it’s about making som**hing unexpected work properly. This R55 has been comprehensively re-engineered, with a heavily modified turbo setup, uprated fuelling and bespoke engine management delivering serious pace in a practical shell.

Chassis and braking upgrades ensure the extra power doesn’t overwhelm the longer wheelbase, making it far more capable than its appearance suggests. It’s fast, functional and deeply misleading — exactly what a sleeper should be.

Would you expect a Clubman to move like this? Why do modded estates just seem 'better' than the usual hatches?

Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged N14, block overbored by .05, custom 51mm K04 turbo from Turbo Lab of America, Turbosmart dual-port BOV, custom K&N air intake from DOS Design, Forge intercooler hoses, Helix intercooler, dual catch cans, NGK spark plugs, full custom exhaust with flame-burnt tips from CM Performance Exhaust, Manic Stage 3 tune by Lou at Prototype-R

Power & Torque: 298hp and 334lb ft

Transmission: Six-speed manual JCW L*D gearbox, Spec Stage 3 six-puck clutch

Suspension: Eibach springs, 26mm (front) and 20mm (rear) Eibach anti-roll bars, AEM strut brace

Brakes: Wilwood six-piston big brake kit (front), slotted discs all-around, EBC race pads, HEL stainless steel brake lines

Wheels & Tyres: 8×17” ET35 Avid1 AV6 bronze wheels with 235/40 Federal 595
RS-R tyres

Interior: Custom black suede headlining and black suede dash, custom three-pod A-pillar trim, Bride Zieg Lowmax racing bucket seats, JCW speedo and tach overlays in kph, custom black leather dash and door panel coverings with red stitching, suede-wrapped steering wheel

Exterior:
Pepper white, Laurel Sport Edition stripes, custom carbon front splitter by , Mk3 Ford Focus bonnet vents

16/02/2026

This R53 Mini Cooper S proves that stance builds can still be done with taste and intent. Built for visual impact but engineered properly, it sits low on air without sacrificing drivability, blending show-car presence with usable road manners.

Attention to detail runs through the build, from the carefully chosen wheels and ride height to the supporting chassis mods that make the setup work. It’s a reminder that stance culture, when done right, is about balance — not just laying frame.

Are you team static or team air on a Mini?

Tech Spec: Bagged Mini Cooper S R53
Engine: 1.6-litre supercharged Tritec, GTT intercooler and GTT intake, Milltek non-resonated exhaust system

Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox

Suspension: Air Lift Performance 3P air suspension kit

Brakes: Standard

Wheels & Tyres: 8.25×17” (front) and 9×17” (rear) custom BBS RF three-piece wheels with 185/35 (front) and 195/40 (rear) tyres

Interior: Recaro Sportster CS JCW Seats, Vertex steering wheel, JCW carbon gear k**b, custom air tank install and rear seat delete/false floor

Exterior: GP1 front bumper with filled and smoothed number plate recess, Aero side skirts and rear bumper, all body kit and trim colour coded

17/01/2026

🚗Feature Car of the Day - This R56 MINI Cooper S throws out the rulebook. The factory turbo setup has been pushed far beyond stock limits, delivering a staggering 402whp from the compact 1.6-litre motor.

Supporting mods include upgraded fuelling, cooling and engine management, ensuring the power is usable rather than fragile. Chassis upgrades help keep the short wheelbase under control when the boost comes in hard.

Is 400whp too much for a MINI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments
👇

Tech spec:
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged N14, Stage 1 Cat Cams camshafts, high-performance N14 racing chain, custom 3” turbo-back exhaust system with 1995 VW Golf GTI Magnaflow silencer, custom exhaust manifold, Garrett GTX2867R Gen II turbo with external wastegate kit, Snow Performance stage 2 m**h kit, SpeedTech Motorsports direct-port m**h-injection kit, SpeedTech Motorsports 2.5” boost pipe, RPM intake manifold, custom oil catch can system, SpeedTech Motorsports valve cover heat shield, SpeedTech Motorsports billet oil and coolant caps, custom front-mount intercooler, DervTech Tuning custom tune, TiAL Q50 BOV and MVS 38mm wastegate, Turbosmart manual boost controller, Torque Solution engine mount, Mishimoto coolant hoses

Power: 402whp

Transmission: Standard six-speed manual gearbox, clutch and flywheel

Suspension: Forge Motorsport camber and damping-adjustable coilovers, Powerflex front and rear race control arm bushes, Powerflex rear strut mounts, H&R 27mm (front) and 22mm (rear) anti-roll bars, adjustable anti-roll bar links, AEM front strut mount

Brakes: Hawk cross-drilled discs and HPS pads

Wheels & Tyres: 8×17” (front) and 9×17” (rear) Rotiform RSE with 205/45 (front and rear) Nankang NS-25 All-Season UHP tyres

Interior: Braum Racing Elite-X leather racing seats, four-point racing harnesses and harness bar, rear seat delete, custom rear K-brace, Momo Millennium Evolution steering wheel, Black Forest Industries gear k**b, CravenSpeed short-shifter, P3 gauge, SpeedTech vent gauge pod, Rennline aluminium floor mats and pedals, 7” Pioneer Apple CarPlay head unit, LED interior light kit

Exterior: Maxton Design front lip with textured finish, Spec-D Tuning projector headlights, LED headlight bulbs, larger bonnet scoop, Maxton Design side blades with textured finish, custom LED Union Jack rear lights, Orranje G-Wing, custom MINI badges with monochrome BMW roundels, BMW M badges with German flag tricolour stripes, LED front and rear side markers, blacked-out side repeaters and front wing badges.

14/09/2025

Oooh, this looks like it could be a good watch. Tune in at 6pm!

6PM TONIGHT - Chris Harris on 'MODIFIED' Cars!

Our exclsive interview with Chris Harris on Cars premieris live on YouTube tonight at 6pm (GMT).

We dive into his world of modified cars, get Chris' unfiltered thoughts on Verstappen, and what really went down behind the scenes at Top Gear .

If you love high-performance machines, wild builds, and straight-up car talk, this one’s for you. From drift cars to F1 legends, Chris keeps it real and delivers the car content we’ve all been waiting for, he even says that the Mk7 Golf GTi is PEAK car and that he was a fan of the Max Power and Fast Car era!

Link in comments!

13/09/2025

Any MINI fans attending INTAKE?

Drop a pic of the car you're taking in the comments!

What shows do you attend each year? Which one is your favourite?And why?
Let us know 👇

10/06/2025

⏳ Less than a week ‘til Father’s Day—got a gift yet?
Fast Car Magazine has pulled together some top picks for dads who love their cars loud, low, and polished to perfection. From scented wash kits to show tickets and tuning gear, there’s som**hing for every kind of MINI nut.

🎁 Last-minute friendly and Fast Car approved.

👉 Check the full guide now:
🔗 https://www.fastcar.co.uk/fast-car-news/fathers-day-car-gifts/

23/05/2025

Calling MINI owners! Got a cool build you think deserves its own video feature?

Our friends over at Fast Car are on the hunt for cool builds for a new YouTube video series.

Got a car you think is worthy? Drop ‘em a message!

🔥 NEW YouTube Series Alert: BUILD MASTERS 🔥
We’ve teamed up with Gtechniq to bring you Build Masters – the ultimate spotlight on the best-built, most savage modified cars the UK has to offer. This is about raw talent, unique vision, and next-level car builds that push boundaries.

Each episode dives deep into the story behind the build – the blood, sweat, and beers that got it from bone stock to full-send. From garage-built heroes to pro-shop masterpieces, we’re shining a light on the people and passion behind the UK’s hardest builds.

💥 Want YOUR car featured?
Drop a pic in the comments or tag us with – we’re hunting for fresh metal to showcase. Whether it’s a widebody monster, track-spec beast, or street-slaying sleeper, we want to see it.

👉 Hit that follow, tag your crew, and show us what you’re building. This is your chance to be a part of UK car culture history. Let’s make some noise. 🚗💨

17/07/2024

What MINI clubs are on this?

We've passed 380 clubs registered for our return to Silverstone! 🤯 Who else is hyped to see all the cars on display!

If you want to join us and display your car make sure you grab your ticket ASAP we're just about to hit 80% of our display car allocation!

17/06/2024

Calling all MINI clubs and owners!

Introducing the Mini Zone at TRAX Silverstone

We’re excited to bring you the Mini Zone at TRAX Silverstone, a space celebrating the legendary Mini. If you’re bringing a Mini to TRAX this will be the zone for you.

The Mini Zone is your ultimate hangout for everything Mini. If you’re displaying a Mini or representing a Mini club at TRAX, you’ll automatically be eligible for the Mini Zone.

Feel the adrenaline with track sessions at the legendary Silverstone circuit. Push your modified Mini to its limits and experience the thrill of this famous track.

Get ready for some serious action with drift taxis and insane drifting on the track. Watch top drivers show off their skills and join in on the high-octane fun.

Hit the link and let's represent Mini to the fullest at TRAX! https://events.fastcar.co.uk/trax/mini-zone/

03/04/2024

With the show season in full swing, what shows will your club be attending?

28/08/2023

It's MINI Monday once more, which means we want to see your MINI pics! And as it's the last Monday of the month, that means we are hunting for a new cover photo for September! Post your finest photos of your pride and joy, and it might be the car we choose on Friday to be our new cover photo! So don't be shy, share your pics and show off those MINIs!