AC Schnitzer Claims to have Built the Fastest MINI with its New Eagle Concept

Is an impressive run around the Hockenheim Circuit enough to crown a car the fastest of its kind? Well, according to BMW Group tuning specialist AC Schnitzer, the answer to the above question is yes. The German company raced its John Cooper Works MINI-based Eagle Concept car at the Hockenheim Circuit recording a lap time of 1:13,341 minutes.

AC Schnitzer says the Eagle beat several thoroughbred sports cars such as the Ferrari California (1:13,5 minutes) and the Porsche 911 Turbo (1:14,6 minutes), and was left behind only by specially tuned or hardcore models like the KTM X-Bow and the BMW M3 Kompressor.

The Eagle features a specially modified version of the standard JCW MINI’s 1.6-liter turbocharged engine delivering 260-horses, while the vehicle’s weight has been reduced by 80kg or 176 pounds. Other upgrades include –but not limited to- a height-adjustable racing suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels shod in sport tires.

AC Schnitzer clarified that Eagle is a pure concept vehicle which was developed as a technology platform, with its value set at €62,000 (~US$88,610).