Road Test: Mini Coupe 1.6 John Cooper Works 3dr

The other night I was absolutely bombing along. I'm sure I was doing, oh, at least a good 150mph. Through the tiny windscreen the wings of my car hopped up and down as the wheels skipped across the tarmac, chasing pools of yellow light from the rally spot-lamps. The race-tuned engine screamed as it unleashed every one of its mighty brake horsepower and we hurtled onwards to ever more fantastic speeds.

It was only the odd reppy Mondeo and Vectra gliding idly past with their drivers in mid-nosepick that spoilt the illusion. But nothing could spoil the fun of driving the latest creation from John Cooper Garages - the Mini Cooper S Works, produced to celebrate 40 years of the Mini and the 40th anniversary of the Cooper team winning the F1 world championship.

To get the party off with a bang, that ancient four-cylinder A-series engine has been tuned for the umpteenth time and now produces 40 per cent more power. We're talking 90bhp, with 60mph reached in a heady 9.6secs.Now it mightn't sound that awesome but believe me it does feel fairly rapid, especially on narrow country lanes. The real charm is the noise of the thing, that raspy eager buzz which brings back to many people memories of new driving licences and first crashes.The four-speed manual gearbox feels as though it hasn't advanced greatly in the past 40 years. It is possible to race up through it at great speed, but changing down requires more patience and care. The basic S Works car tested here already costs £12,495 but there is also a five-speed version for £14,150, and that's one of the big problems with the modern Mini thing - cost. Even an ordinary Rover Mini Cooper is £9,625.

There's little doubt, though, that this John Cooper S Works car is a lot better kitted out than the standard car. The greatest difference inside is the stainless steel dash and door surrounds, but there are also endless other little details - inside and outside - with enough 'John Cooper' autographs to keep his local stationery company very happy indeed. And there's a CD player.

With the CD blasting away and a clear road, it is very hard not to fall in love with the Cooper. The way it turns in to corners and the speed with which it can change direction is staggering. It can still put many modern cars to shame in that respect. It's only when you try and fit a week's shopping into the tiny boot or start to get stiff from the driving position that you tire of it.

The trouble is I forgot all that again as soon as I hit the motorway and began the speed run to break all speed runs - they were never going to take me alive. Sadly, though, I still nearly pooped my pants when I saw the flashing blue police lights coming up behind me. Luckily, they were after a Mondeo - I wasn't going quite as quickly as I thought I was.

Angus Frazer