'BUSA BLASTER

摘要

Dumping the ageing A-series engine and replacing it with something different isn't a new concept. Vauxhall twin-cam, Honda V-tec, Rover K-series, we've heard it all before, but only Z-Cars seems to be doing the bike-engined thing regularly in the Mini scene, with their productionised kit package offering a mid-engine configuration, rear-wheel-drive, six-speed sequential gearbox and an 11,000rpm+ rev limit from a lightweight superbike engine. No wonder the radical Z-Cars conversion is causing such a storm. But is this just a track day special or a genuine road-going option? Z-Cars' current weapon of choice is the Suzuki Hayabusa engine (although the Yamaha R1 and Suzuki GSXR1000 remain popular options) and it has obvious appeal as a dual-purpose installation. The larger 1298cc capacity endows it with more torque than almost any other bike option, thus making it potentially easier to drive on the public highway. Add in the monstrous 175bhp (in standard tune) and it's also a lethal weapon when you head trackside.