In September MINI announced the John Cooper Works GP. It is the fastest MINI production ever, surpassing the previous GCW GP back in 2006. The John Cooper Works has really grown in sales and scope across the MINI line-up. This year MINI is adding the first all wheel drive JCW Countryman.
Like the previous GP model in 2006, the 2014 is a send off to the current generation MINI hardtop. Given that so many variants have been introduced, the MINI still seems fresh. But the original MINI hardtop was introduced in 2007 and it is time for an update. R56, as it is being referred to internally, will arrive sometime next year.
There were some rumors that MINI would offer the limited edition GP in multiple body styles. However, this notion has been shot down by GP development head Jorg Weidinger. Speaking with EVO Magazine, he says “it was a hatch, it is a hatch, and it should stay a hatch.” JCW GP gets an extra 10 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque versus the standard JCW.
In addition to the slight gains in power, weight has been reduced by 100 lbs. At 2,558 lbs, the 218 hp GP hits 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. Also, the car shaves 18 seconds off the previous GP’s Nurburgring North Loop time for a total of 8 minutes and 23 seconds. Despite this, Weidinger says that MINI is not planning to make a run at any official new lap records. Like the original, only 2000 will be offered and they go on sale at the end of the year for $39, 950.
