Due next year the new Mini John Cooper Works GP pumps out more than 220kW of power, making it the fastest and most powerful Mini ever produced.
But you’d better be quick if you want to snare one, they’re only making 3000 of these quick Minis — and that’s for the entire world.
Anyone who gets the chance to get behind the wheel is in for a treat, with a promise of pure driving fun and an uncompromising race feeling.
This was the promise offered at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September 2017 when the Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept was presented for the first time.
Large front and rear aprons, a striking roof spoiler and extensive use of lightweight materials left no doubt as to the sporty ambitions of this car.
With development entering the final stages, track testing and honing will be carried out over the course of the next few months.
The GP’s predecessor clocked a time of 8:23 minutes on the Nürburgring, faster than many more fancied sports cars with much higher price tags.
In the hands of Formula 1 designer John Cooper, the original Mini became a small, but feared high-speed racer that regularly claimed the scalps of bigger players – with three outright victories in the Monte Carlo Rally to its name.
Only 2000 examples of the previous Mini JCW GP were produced, along with the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit that came out in 2006.
Both have become highly collectable and the new model is already eagerly anticipated by fans.
“The fastest MINI in our brand history – which now goes back 60 years – is an expression of pure racing passion,” Vice President Product and Launch Management, Thomas Giuliani, said.
“We are well aware of the enormous fascination exercised by the MINI John Cooper Works GP, not just from the euphoric reactions to the concept vehicle but also from past experience: after all, every one of its predecessors was completely sold out even before the official market launch.”
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