Like previous years, the upcoming Art of Speed 2019 will conclude with a lucky draw session where visitors will stand a chance to win attractive prizes including a very attractive grand prize.
Instead of giving away a customized motorcycle like they used to before, the organizers decided to do things differently this time around by offering a Hayabusa-powered Mini Cooper to one lucky winner on that day.
Yes, you read that right – a Mini Cooper with a heart of a superbike. “Mizuki”, as the car is fondly called, is being built by FNG Works which is based in Ipoh. If you are into custom bikes and cars, this is a name that needs no introduction.
On a recent media trip to FNG Works’ garage, we managed to get a closer look at how the machine is being put together as well as the processes behind it. With us was Irwann Cheng, the builder responsible for this special project.
To put it simply, the project starts with a 1976 Mini Cooper and a 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa engine. But combining these two is not as straightforward as one would think.
While the front subframe has been left untouched, the rear subframe has been replaced and reinforced with a tubular spaceframe structure to accommodate the engine, which sits on a modified axle from a Perodua Rusa.
We learn that the 1,299 cc four-cylinder Suzuki engine is in its standard form, which means it would have approximately 173 hp and 126 Nm of torque channeled to the rear wheels. That should be enough for a stripped-out Mini Cooper.
Chassis-wise, the car is equipped with a ladder bar suspension system with D2 Motorsport Hi Lo Soft Hard adjustable coilovers and absorbers. The front brake is stock, while the rear brakes are cannibalized from a Honda Civic EG9.
The presence of the Hayabusa engine means that standard tyres are no longer good enough to keep the Mizuki planted. For this, the car gets 12-inch steelies at the front and 13-inch steelis wrapped in 10-inch wide slick tyres at the rear.
As for the interior, most of it has been stripped out to make way for custom seats made by Saidi Race Fabrications from Subang Jaya. Perhaps for aesthetics purposes, it will keep the original steering wheel.
Interested? Well, just visit the Art of Speed 2019 at MAEPS, Serdang next weekend (27-28 July) and this truly unique machine could very well be yours.
