A few days ago, BMW announced that a new John Cooper Works GP is in development and set for a public reveal later in the year. We can expect it on the market in 2020.
Exact details about the drivetrain are scarce, but the new sports hatch is promising to become the fastest and most powerful Mini ever created.
The announcement mentioned the car will extract 300 horsepower from its 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-4 engine. That’s a hell of an upgrade over the current John Cooper Works, which produces 228 hp and 236 lbs/ft of torque.
The Honda Civic Type R produces 306 hp, so the new GP will compete at the top tier of sports hatchbacks.
Mini is planning to build just 3,000 units and we don’t know how many of those will make their way to the US, so availability will be limited.
The press release was accompanied by a few detailed shots of features like the wheels, double exhaust tailpipes, and rear spoiler.
The vehicle resembles very much the 2017 Mini John Cooper Works GP Concept. The GP concept redefined Mini Cooper. Mini is not typically considered a bad-ass car. However, with this new design, the GP looks like a proper car to take on track days.
The body is aggressive. The numerous carbon-fiber aero surfaces and hood intake make the Mini look properly fast. A roll cage was installed instead of a back seat. The rear wing and massive wheel flares are simply jaw-dropping. And, the red accents make sure you can’t easily overlook this car.
The company published an emotional video with the launch of the car. It’s a gorgeous take on the Mini Cooper and finally one for the sports enthusiasts.
Two years ago, people were betting it would never make it to the production floor, but it seems it just might.