MINI John Cooper Works GP, the fastest MINI ever

MINI John Cooper Works GP, the fastest MINI ever

This is the MINI John Cooper Works GP, which we first saw back in May. The fastest MINI ever had its world debut at the recent Paris Motor Show, and like its predecessor, will be limited to just 2,000 units. One for the collectors.

The standard 211 hp JCW is already a manic little machine, but the John Cooper Works GP takes things up a notch. The 1.6-litre four-pot gets an aluminium cylinder block and bearing mounts, reinforced pistons, sturdier cylinder head, low-weight crankshafts and sodium-filled exhaust valves.

With all that, the direct-injection twin-scroll turbo engine with BMW’s Valvetronic tech makes 218 hp and 260 Nm from just 1,750 rpm. For extra acceleration punch, peak torque can be increased for short periods to 280 Nm from 2,000 rpm on overboost. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

MINI John Cooper Works GP, the fastest MINI ever

When you consider the fact that this MINI weighs just 1,160 kg, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds (0.2 sec faster than JCW) and a top speed of 242 km/h isn’t surprising at all. At the Nürburgring North Loop (the old GP circuit), the JCW GP clocked 8:23 minutes, which is a whole 18 seconds off its predecessor’s best lap time.

The JCW GP’s sits on individually adjustable coilover suspension, which allows ride height to be lowered by up to 20 mm. The front shocks are mounted upside down in the tube, with the piston rod pointing down, in order to increase longitudinal and lateral stiffness.

Front camber has been increased compared with the regular MINI JCW, so that the performance potential of the sports tyres can be used to full effect, without the penalties of early understeer, inevitably leading to increased tyre wear. Other features include reduced front-wheel toe-in and increased rear camber, which alters the forward weight transfer so as to give more speed and more neutral steering close to the limit.

MINI John Cooper Works GP, the fastest MINI ever

The brakes are powerful, featuring six-piston fixed-calliper disc brakes, vented at the front. The front discs are 330 mm in diameter and 25 mm thick, with 280 x 10 mm discs at the rear. The lightweight 17-inch alloys, derived from the MINI Challenge race car, are wrapped with 215/40 sports tyres.

One more thing. Here, DSC is not combined with DTC, as would normally be the case, but with a special GP racing mode. Under hard driving, the driver may not want ASC engine power reduction cutting in, so instead this system offers just ASC braking, based on the EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) subfunction.

Crazy little monster!

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • MINI John Cooper vs Golf R = which one more powerful?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • tricycle on Nov 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm

      Dude, in terms of power, Golf R 255ps is more powerful than JCW GP of 218hp.

      But you have to look at the weight as well, since JCWGP is much lighter than GolfR.

      In terms of handling, don’t know for sure. Both cars with road car spec need to be track tested side by side.

      I won’t be so quick in judging these two cars.
      So your question is open to many possible answers.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • KsAngelFire on Nov 16, 2012 at 10:05 am

        In comparison the stock cooper s already have a upper hand over the stock gti. Mini has perfect 50/50 weight ratio although its a front wheel drive front engine car. vw needs 225 width tire whereas cooper s uses only 205 width tires =] i only driven the R53GP. as for Golf R, the car is not fast enough nor handles good enough.

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  • looking-Good on Nov 15, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    yawn…..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • TurboLiao on Nov 15, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    Put a Golf R engine and drive train into a MINI JCW, this car can fly !!!
    2 L + DSG 6 speed + Mini weight = Super car territory

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  • Mini is unique, just like beetle. It is a classic car.

    Golf is boring design. R or not, the design is boring. Don’t buy a car to race, so what if you win? You become champion of the road, so what?

    Back to mini, there are just too many on the road in Malaysia now. Many recond / import models at various price. So, buying a jcw model is quite a waste…as again, it is still a mini.

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  • my gf leave me because i cannot afford this car..sedih ooo..just saying, and please dont dislike my comment..huhu..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
 

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