Three MINI Coopers racing through Turin’s streets, laneways and culverts, even down stairs, in the 1969 movie The Italian Job is one of cinema’s most iconic car chases.

The original high-performance MINI received its name, its raw power and its limpet-like handling courtesy of motorsport pioneer John Cooper. In a salute to the legend himself, MINI released the John Cooper Works 3-Door Hatch and has now expanded the range to include Clubman and Countryman (pictured). These fire-breathers, the brand’s most powerful model ever approved for public roads, can go from 0 to 100 kph in about 5 seconds, all the while sounding fantastic due to the sport exhaust. ALL4 all-wheel drive is standard for both cars and makes for amazing traction, agility and driving stability. The system was comprehensively redeveloped for the new edition of both models. There’s a whole lot more flash technology helping things along, so book in a test drive and find out for yourself what the fuss is about.

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