Motoring News

The latest version of the Mini will provide the Alfa MiTo GTA some much-needed competition, it has been claimed.

A topgear.com review has commented on the efforts of German tuning firm AC Schnitzer to soup up the Mini Cooper S Convertible.

According to the website, the car lends itself to modification in a way that vehicles such as the Rolls Royce Phantom do not.

AC Schnitzer has concentrated on improving the Mini Cooper S Convertible’s power, with the car now boasting more brake horse power than the JCW Convertible, its stable sister.

However, the review site explains that the car does not suffer from too-much-power syndrome.

"If you’re thinking ‘death by torque steer’, it’s a fair worry: even the standard Cooper S cabrio is a squirmy little thing," the reviewer writes.

"But the ever-vigilant Herr Schnitzer has fitted the Cooper with a limited slip differential, along with an adjustable suspension set-up and, of course, a big ol’ sports exhaust."

AC Schnitzer also lends its expertise to updating BMW cars, BMW motorcycles and Land Rover vehicles.