If you’re a classic Mini enthusiast, you may want to look away now as a 22-year-old British guy has made the car of your worst nightmares.
This enthusiast’s modifications started with a B16 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder VTEC engine from an old Civic Type R. In standard form, this engine delivers almost 200 hp but that wasn’t enough so the owner did what any 22-year-old would do, fit a massive turbocharger.
A host of upgrades have also been made to the engine itself, including new pistons and 750 cc injectors. All up, this bright orange Mini pumps out 360 hp. That’s roughly the same grunt as you’ll find in most top-tier hot hatches but the Mini weighs barely anymore than a paperweight. With all the power funneled through the front wheels, it is an absolute savage.
LivingLifeFast on YouTube recently had the opportunity to test the car and was suitably staggered by it’s performance. That’s what happens when you build a car at home by yourself, I guess.
Perhaps the most animalistic about the car is the extreme torque steer which can almost rip the wheel out of your hands and sends the car skipping across the road.
Believe it or not, this isn’t the end of this Mini. As a matter of fact, the owner wants to convert it to all-wheel drive and adorn the engine with more changes with the aim of reaching the 500 hp mark.
Say what you will about the car and it’s strange exterior parts, namely that useless carbon fiber rear wing, you cannot argue with the vehicle’s straight-line acceleration.