Mini JCW GP Is A Mini Bodybuilder

What can I say about the Mini John Cooper Works GP? Well for starters it’s the fastest Mini ever. That’s probably enough as it is. However not only does this new Mini looks like a bit of a beast, but on top of that, it’s hard to argue against Mini’s motorsport pedigree - when they’ve poured plenty of their know-how into this car, you know it’s going to be a great hot hatch. But if you’re still not sold, keep reading...

It seems these days that the ‘standard’ for judging a car’s performance is (alongside power, 0-62mph time and top speed) the time it can set lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife. So with its rev-hungry turbo-charged heart shifting it along, motorsport-inspired aerodynamics, adjustable racing suspension, and non-existent rear seats for less weight, the Mini John Cooper Works GP claims a serious time posting a fastest lap of 8 minutes 23 seconds. That’s quick. Seriously quick.

Anyone driving an Audi RS4 or a Lotus Exige S is going to get beat, it’s as simple as that. And it absolutely thrashes its predecessor – the Mini Cooper S with the John Works GP pack - by a massive 19 seconds. Which in real terms is about six years.

This is also one of the best looking Minis I’ve ever seen. The whole idea for a hot hatch is that it stands out and the John Cooper Works GP definitely stands out. Anyone who says it doesn’t must be either blind or has forgotten to put their contacts in because this is stunning. With the letters ‘GP’ plastered all over it, aggressive bulging bonnet and a front nose lower than my dog sniffing the ground on his daily walk, you’re certainly going to get the admiring looks on the way to the track day. Which is where you’ll be going. Because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to take this on every track day they could? I know I definitely would. And I’d love every minute.

Want one? Yes you do. Don’t lie to yourself, you know you do. I do. Phew. With the Mini JCW GP due to be officially unveiled to the public at the Mini United festival from 11-13 May 2012 at Le Castellet in France, you’ll need to be quick on your feet as there are a very limited number to be produced – only 2,000 worldwide. Which means it’s going to be rare, very rare. And if ever there’s ‘claim for cool’ it’s when something is hard to come by.

So get your names down and your credit cards ready at your local Mini dealer because, as a man who enjoys the odd bet now and again, I’m willing to bet that these will be sold out quicker than they can get round the ‘Ring...