More details of the two-seater MINI John Cooper Works GP have been released ahead of its official world debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. The "fastest MINI ever" hasn’t just been given a couple of aerodynamic aprons and some racing stripes. BMW has dropped in a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that puts out 218 bhp (160 kW) to send this MINI from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 242 kph (150 mph).
On the Nürburgring North Loop, it made the circuit in 8 minutes and 23 seconds – 18 seconds faster than the 2006 MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit.
BMW didn’t stop at the engine either. The MINI John Cooper Works GP has adjustable coilover suspension, an extra-powerful sports brake system and the camber has been adjusted to allow the use of sports tires with minimum understeering. The suspension can also be adjusted to suit different circuit conditions. It’s still a relative lightweight at 1,160 kilograms (2557.36 lbs) and does do well in terms of fuel economy, consuming 7.1 liters per 100 kilometers (33.1 mpg US).
MINI John Cooper Works GP
The MINI John Cooper Works GP is limited to only 2,000 units and is scheduled to go on sale later this year. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.
MINI John Cooper Works GP key specifications:
Engine: inline 4-cylinder, 4-valve
Engine capacity 1598 cm³
Max output: 160kW / 218hp at 6000rpm
Max torque: 260Nm (280 with overboost) at rpm 1750–5750 (2000–5100)
Power-to-weight ratio: 7.3kg/kW
Output per liter: 100.1kW/l
Acceleration: 0–100 km/h in 6.3 sec.
Top speed: 242km/h
Fuel consumption in EU cycle: 7.1l/100 km (composite)
Front suspension: Coilover suspension, modified camber, upside down shock absorbers, anti-dive
Rear suspension: Coilover suspension, modified camber, multi-link axle with aluminium longitudinal struts and centrally pivoted control arms
Front brakes: Vented disc, 330 × 25mm
Rear brakes: Disc, 280 × 10mm
Tires: 215/40 R17 87W
Driving stability systems: Hydraulic two-circuit brake system, six-piston fixed-calliper brakes at the front, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Brake Assist, Hill Start Assistant, GP racing mode, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC), parking brake acts mechanically on rear wheels
David Szondy is a freelance journalist, playwright, and general scribbler based in Seattle, Washington. A retired field archaeologist and university lecturer, he has a background in the history of science, technology, and medicine with a particular emphasis on aerospace, military, and cybernetic subjects. In addition, he is the author of a number of websites, four award-winning plays, a novel that has thankfully vanished from history, reviews, scholarly works ranging from industrial archaeology to law, and has worked as a feature writer for several international magazines. He has been a New Atlas contributor since 2011.
4 comments
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Sieg
And the point of this car is ???? Where, other than in Germany can you use it's power speed etc....... If they would spend all their research capabilities on EV and Hybrids we would have been driving for years such vehicles.
Rocky Stefano
Hey Sieg. Maybe its just me. But I LIKE to hear an engine VROOM when I drive. Even if hybrids are available I'll never buy them as long as I can buy a real engine to listen to. Call me old fashioned but if I want to listen to the air while I move around, I'll walk
BZD
Another "Mini" that is not mini in any way. I find these cars to be a terrible example of marketing over substance. The real Mini was small, affordable, fun and amazingly practical for it's size. The BMW Mini's are double in weight and size, luxury expensive for what you get and while they drive okay, to me they are fake retro and it's getting even worse with all the silly versions of late. For the money there is much more fun to be had without it being some marketing BS.
Jason A Rusty Brooks
Well, I've owned two MINIs and am looking for a third, which will probably be the Coupe. They have been the most fun-to-drive cars that I have ever owned, and I've had quite a few pretty good cars. If this one had a high-tech dual-clutch auto transmission with paddle shift I'd strongly consider it for the next round.
Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be published.
Where, other than in Germany can you use it's power speed etc.......
If they would spend all their research capabilities on EV and Hybrids we would have been driving for years such vehicles.
The real Mini was small, affordable, fun and amazingly practical for it's size. The BMW Mini's are double in weight and size, luxury expensive for what you get and while they drive okay, to me they are fake retro and it's getting even worse with all the silly versions of late.
For the money there is much more fun to be had without it being some marketing BS.