Z Cars 350hp, RWD, 2.0 TFSI, DSG mini walk through. A peek under the skin of this incredible machine

It's been 3 years in the making and finally - it's here! An incredible first of its kind from Z-Cars, this mid-engine rear wheel drive classic mini produces over 350hp from it's modified 2.0 TFSI motor AND it's paired with a 6 speed DSG box.
But, there's so much more to it than those headline figures. In this video we take a quick look under its' skin at some of the stunning engineering gone into building it.
Make sure you subscribe to the channel to see more of this mini on road, on track, on two wheels if we get much more power out of it!!!

[@ThomasDoubting5]

You can instantly tell this is a high value build regardless of personal opinion .

[@davisonnyatinyirenda4626]

😟😮😮😮 What can I say surely. I love mini and this is the one.

[@hannchris2762]

This little mini is a fantastic car and a credit to all those that created it

[@Handleyman]

I like your narration style. Clinically precise and without all the fluff that many fabricators go on with. And for that reason and quite a few others I have subscribed! 🎉

[@HRFSUK]

You’re very kind, thank you! The mini is undergoing so gearbox reworks currently but the content should start flowing toward the end of summer… I hope 🤞

[@paulwilliams2727]

Now that’s a proper mini, well done to everyone involved in the project.

[@bessiebraveheart]

I was around when the mini was born. This car is just amazing. Thank you for letting us see it.

[@baddaddy8718]

Just wow! Just the fact they made all that stuff fit is incredible, but the build itself would have so many engineers at big brands scratching their heads then clapping their hands, it’s better than brilliant

[@tonystamp2708]

What's not to like? This is an amazing build.

[@fehmidabibi1322]

Beautiful thing. I fell in love with mini mardave ever since i see it in hobby rc magazines when i was a kid in the 90s. This was built by an individual who has serious passion and flair

[@nigelwest3430]

What a fabulous little car and beautifully engineered as well

[@Section9.P.S]

That mini is awesome , I want one.

[@frazerrennie1340]

Wow, that is a beautifully engendered mini. Thank you for making this.

[@waterbourne9282]

Impressively sorted, what a machine.

[@ROTRCH]

See you on Officially Gassed, Awesome

[@Mark-q7i1m]

Not usually a mini fan, but that is awesome!!!

[@AW-Services]

I'm an A Series purist however I love this build. The only dislikes would be noise as a daily drive and the Los and aesthetics of not having the rear seats

[@HRFSUK]

Thank you :) the noise is somewhat temporary as insulation and dyno matting will be a winter job. That’ll help. Probably… !

[@patrickflanagan8008]

I LOVE this little mini, absolutely perfection and the car of my dreams. Nice one matey.

[@ernied3123]

Great video, fantastic car. The engineering is awesome. Thanks.

[@BrianDias007]

Unbelievably beautiful car and well engineered

[@samalam1721]

Wow Love the engineering Brilliant presentation Subscribed

[@mikedsilva]

Wow. And that garage is pretty cool too!

[@derekgb3780]

Very subtle and understated look and as said already, it looks like a quality build.

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Over done ,tastefully I love it Well done you have done a fantastic job mate🚗👍

[@davebaker9128]

In 1977-78 in high school I had a 1966 mini Cooper S, it had endless transmission, clutch a d front axle problems, so I put a late 60s VW squareback engine with a 1776 cc cylinder & piston kit, big cam roller rocker arms, bolted to a 1962 VW bug transmission that I flipped the ring gear and shortened the axles and used a traverse leaf spring, and brake drums with a four lug pattern that the alloy ten inch mini wheels just barely fit over after I skimmed the O.D. on the drums, I used some mid engine dune buggy shifter that was biased way to left of center in the floor, the thing would do about 85 mph before it ran out of revs, didn't use first gear (too low) and it would smoke the rear tires for almost a block, but that was 40 plus years ago, I think the car is still sitting next to my friends house in a canyon

[@HRFSUK]

They are brilliant things aren’t they! Everyone who’s ever owned one, regardless of spec or condition, has fond memories. Truly one of the greats :)

[@leighscott9606]

My first car was a ‘66 Cooper S. Purists be buggered- this is fantastic and I’ll want to see more. The only thing I’d change is the grill, to the original rounded one. Whatever floats your boat though.🇦🇺🇬🇧

[@RobertDooley-sl7cp]

The engineering these guys did was beyond amazing.

[@refresher1000]

Awesome car man. Great job with the built very well done.

[@mitsos_306]

As you said...an incredible machine!

[@69jomen]

Incredible.....

[@tonycamplin8607]

It's not a Mini anymore and not my personal "thing". However what a fantastic achievement and superb build quality. Congratulations.

[@chrisslater3174]

Not a mini fan per se, but the looks/colour/wheel choice of the finished article are spot on to my eye. And I think once shown, the engineering within speaks for itself, if you have any appreciation. A great effort, thanks for showing it! 👍

[@dankenmountains8014]

Impeccable video, good work sir! Let's see it on the track

[@LawrenceSmyth-mm6hj]

A simply spectacular creation, yes there is importance with the purist form but this is a very special approach, thankyou for the invitation around the car and for show casing a top end example of what can be done when talented people have the desire to do, Louie, Northern Ireland

[@HRFSUK]

Thank you Louie, very much appreciated :)

[@MrCarlyMS]

As a retired gear head I salute. you.

[@tomtht3355]

That’s spot on 👌🏻😎

[@enesfazlic6017]

Daaaammn this thing is sick.

[@stephendye1659]

Very, very cool, send one to Vancouver 🎉please!

[@screaminlordbyron7767]

I like how its all shiny on the outside and like a jet cockpit on the inside.. including noise haha

[@kazstrankowski8721]

Great build!

[@paulwiltshire1285]

That is so sick, and slick. You may not be the newcomer your post count suggests. Anyways, very entertaining. I’m waiting for the TFSI on the back of a lawnmower. Truly,an engine for all seasons…

[@HRFSUK]

You’re very kind :) but yes, this is my first venture into KZbin territory. Hopefully plenty more to come pending the mini being back on the road soon.

[@Retro_Rich]

You forgot quick and trick.

[@bloody_pinata]

This is incredible lad

[@badger_claws]

Great build and video.

[@googlepixel9pro]

Subscribed!!. I hope you channel really takes off. Your mini is amazing, cant wait to see everything that went into it

[@HRFSUK]

Ah thanks kindly 😁

[@AndreChilver-l4i]

Wow wow what a car love it my dream car must of cost lot to do this love it

[@nicolasrodriguez593]

Love it!!

[@Kinetic-Images-Australia]

Great Video guys/gals......From narration to production quality to subject matter I'm hooked :) I'm predicting that if this rocket sorts out the reliability and handles anywhere near my old 1275 Mkii......What can I say.... BRING ON THE CORNERS :)

[@djneils100]

Needs a misha charoudin collab video now!

[@iambricko]

I’m in love with this Mini ❤

[@HRFSUK]

@@iambricko me too! And at some point I’ll get my arse in gear and get more films out of it!!

[@manxman8008]

lovely job!!!

[@pilothobson]

Beautiful car.

[@demonhighwayman9403]

Lovely motor !

[@dRew-something]

I want one..looks like soooo much fun

[@HRFSUK]

Minis are always great fun, even a beat up old 998cc will bring a smile to your face. This one just gets a few more smiles per mile is all!! Road vids comings soon :)

[@chris-vn6sw]

Love it ! 👌👌👌👌

[@Mark-yy2vw]

Nice to see different engines going in to minis, it was always honda or a bike motor

[@gafrers]

Amazing. Dream build

[@simonaeldred]

Well unlike Binkey it’s on the road. Very cool car👍👍

[@das186]

Awesome, its a Mini supercar

[@Vladimirthetiny]

Finished faster than binky 🎉😂

[@HRFSUK]

True, but also entire civilisations rose and fell faster than project Binky!! Still, it was an inspiration to a lot of us me thinks 🫡

[@roddas26]

Masterful

[@amgguy4319]

The outside looks great. Definitely want to know how it handles and performs.

[@HRFSUK]

I hope you subscribed then, because follow up videos are due as soon as it’s back in the road (gearbox overhaul currently)

[@zoidberg444]

Are you going to drag race Binky on the quarter mile? Binky has AWD and probably more BHP but this has the DSG which is worth 100bhp.

[@HRFSUK]

Oh that would be simply spectacular! Plus, I’d love to meet the Binky guys and see the car 👍🏻

[@peterstubbs7802]

Superb 👌👌🏻

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

I have just two words, *Project Binky*

[@HRFSUK]

Having followed Binky right from the start it’s fair to say it served as inspiration to do something less typical than the plentiful vtec conventions out there.

[@markcollins9005]

Love it. I'd just be worried it would dissolve in the rain.

[@HRFSUK]

It is still a mini, and that is still going to be a battle!

[@georgemitchell9804]

I love it

[@kierongraham3771]

With changing the engine location, driven wheels, and suspension how did you manage to keep the original Reg and not end up other a Q plate?

[@HRFSUK]

This is one of those questions that, when asked whilst down the pub, you simply say ‘right, my round then yeah?’…

[@dvdmulenga9552]

I would love to see what this mini-beast can do on the Nürburgring...

[@HRFSUK]

Ooooooh that’s on the cards, don’t you worry 😄

[@dvdmulenga9552]

@@HRFSUK Yay... 👍

[@TeezerDriz]

Beautiful car. How strong is the fuel tank to resist a frontal impact and not rupture and BBQ your nads?

[@HRFSUK]

Similar to that of any car. We all usually ignore the fact we’re sitting on top, in front or behind a bomb. It’s certainly safer than the former version in the boot 👍🏻

[@stewstube70]

Beautiful build, really like this. Does the gearbox have an LSD fitted? I saw the OG battle video and wondered if an LSD would help.

[@HRFSUK]

It didn’t then but will do soon. In fact, there’s a whole gearbox overhaul going on as we speak 👌 watch this space

[@keyz127]

What brakes are on the back? I'm looking for a set with drive for my rear-engined Mini-based kit and would really like to ditch the drums. Ta!

[@kevinbell6292]

WOW!!!!

[@CaymanIslandsCatWalks]

Subscribed wow.

[@wardieleppan8443]

Beautiful car. Just wondering how much such a beast costs.

[@HRFSUK]

@@wardieleppan8443 thank you :) wearediminutive.com for details 👍🏻

[@2.fresh767]

More please Sir!

[@HRFSUK]

Working on it! Thank you :)

[@tonyking9235]

WOULD BE NICE IF IT HAD THE ORIGINAL BACK LIGHTS

[@neoquest2012]

Nice 👊😎

[@stephenwhite3832]

Is the DSG box a standard box or did you swap it for a diesel variant to lower revs at motorway speeds compensating for the 13 wheels?

[@HRFSUK]

In this video it's the DSG from the TFSI and it was, as you'd imagine, pretty 'revy'. Since then we've installed a box from a TDi and it's worlds better in terms of drivability. More videos coming very soon... as soon as the weather allows really!

[@alannock1358]

Subscibed.

[@sicks6six]

eat your heart out Jim Clarke,

[@seadog9534]

Did you have any issues with the SVA test with all the modifications?

[@HRFSUK]

Zcars, or rather Diminutive as the newly announced company will be, build these with this in mind so you’ll have no troubles in that regard 👍🏻

[@jackward6572]

Where can I get the A panels with the air scoops ??

[@HRFSUK]

They were fabricated for the project by Zcars. I’ve not seen any like this as an ‘off the shelf’ solution but ABS motorsport do something similar to it

[@scoop-pm7lk]

its scoop size I like it

[@steveanderson3942]

Be interesting regarding the legality of this beast for uk road's? 😊

[@HRFSUK]

100% road legal in every respect 👌

[@Garry-pd8gw]

I would take that mini over any of the cars with the same power to weight ratio, it has more character, so on.

[@peterhancock8011]

I didn't realise that it was possible to use a personalised number plate which is newer than the car.

[@HRFSUK]

As far as I know you can’t use a plate that suggests the vehicle is newer than it is. But either way, the road plates on this are original. If you saw the HRFS plates, they’re just for show!

[@MadAntz970]

The overall engineering and thought that has gone into this conversion is impressive. My main pet hate is that awful stock Audi gear selector sitting on top of that fabricated console. It just looks horrible and almost a last minute thought. Execution could be a way lot better a more discrete using alternative method?

[@HRFSUK]

Thanks, the team at Z cars have worked wonders. As for the shifter, job 1 is make it work. Job 2 is make it pretty 👌

[@izzyplusplusplus1004]

This car vs the BOM Celica swapped mini!

[@dazzassti]

Love this,… really nice… one thing that would really niggle me though, all that work and the engine looks shoddy, that would genuinely piss me off. The engine should be mint, blasted and fully refurbed.

[@HRFSUK]

Thank you! And I hear your point. Thing is - show and shine doesn’t interest me in the slightest; that motor is there for one job and one job only in my mind - propulsion.

[@MatthijsPlender]

When is there a #carwow sprint.😋

[@HRFSUK]

It’ll happen 👌 if not with mine but with one of those being built alongside it… but soon!

[@MatthijsPlender]

@@HRFSUK❤

[@eddiecalabro7265]

👍

[@phillipusmalan8841]

Put that into production

[@HRFSUK]

It kinda is… www.Zcars.org.uk 👌

[@maxhofer3223]

whats the price of this pocket rocket….?

[@HRFSUK]

Before answering questions like that, I’ll need multiple references and identify confirmation to ensure your not my wife 🤣

[@ra5241]

Hi mY friend,How much is it ? I want to import one

[@HRFSUK]

@@ra5241 wearediminutive.com is where you’ll need to go for info :)

[@ibana8449]

Does the car have an IVA test certificate ?

[@HRFSUK]

Zcars only build complete cars these days and each is done so with view to passing the IVA assessment 👍🏻

[@Dee.J.Mogfry]

Its a mini Jim not as we know it.

[@SANDSCORCHER]

If it’s a 1975 car, how have you managed to get away with registering it on a 1979 plate ?

[@HRFSUK]

Manufactured in 75 but exported (to France I think) then reimported in 79 where it was given a Uk plate of that year

[@SANDSCORCHER]

Ah I see 😎👍🏻 Yeah, it’s weird how the DVLA do that isn’t it. By law one can’t make a car appear to be newer by adding a later registration. Yet that is PRECISELY what the DVLA do with imports and ex MOD vehicles etc. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@SANDSCORCHER]

@HRFSUK Fantastic build by the way. 👍🏻 Car looks superb 😎👌🏻

[@nealdunleavy]

Mini Coopers WIN

[@ibana8449]

I have no idea why such a heavily modified car retains the original number plate, and no IVA? does it have one ? I have a Fiat 126 built onto a spaceframe chassis, Ecoboost engine all professionally built and I am anticpating a Q plate.

[@HRFSUK]

Yeah, it’s a mystery isn’t it.

[@boogboog8097]

Cabin heater...not required 😅

[@HRFSUK]

I did have concerns doing a long distance in the height of summer! Joking aside though, the bulkheads and seals have been very well made keeping engine heat out the cabin nicely 👌

[@markfox1545]

Packarges? 😅