Mini John Cooper Works GP Absolves The Sins Of Brand Dilution

by Derek Kreindler

Published: May 13th, 2012

Has Mini’s over-propagation of vehicles gotten so bad that we’re actually cheering when a new special isn’t a silly two-seater or pseudo-crossover? The Mini John Cooper Works GP may be overpriced, but at least it’s got its heart in the right place.

It could do without the gauche aerokit, graphics and pizza-cutter wheels but the “race spec” suspension will only add to the Mini Cooper S JCW’s already fantastic chassis. Upgraded brakes, extra power (the new car will surely make more than the 214 horsepower than the last GP edition did) help enhance performance, and the GP also loses its back seat in the name of weight reduction.

Only 2,000 GP editions will be made, with sales going on across the globe. Expect prices to be astronomical for what this car is. But it will probably be a hoot to drive all the same.

#BritishCars #HotHatches #MINI #MINICOOPER #MiniCooperS #MiniCooperSJcw #MiniCooperSJohnCooperWorks #MiniJohnCooperWorksGp #SmallCars

Derek Kreindler

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3 of 24 comments

Akitadog on May 13, 2012

I would much rather own the 2006 GP than this one, no matter how much more power this one makes. This gen MINI just doesn't match the first gen MINI in the "perfection" of the exterior design.

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Kuman on May 14, 2012

I drove around Mini Cooper quite often. I wonder why people are so hyped about the mini... it doesnt provide thrills like CRX does nor does it provide comfortable ride or practicality as a car of that price point. For me a Golf GTI gets much better balance between sport, comfort and practicality. Bah... I'll take a diesel SUV made by Toyota over it! ( Mini cooper )

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- Stuki on May 14, 2012
  
  A well set up Mini is fast on tight, narrow, roads; in a way no Golf can ever be. And in ways that cannot be captured by racing around some 20 foot wide Nurburgring. It's as close to a fwd Elise as you can get. Or possible even as close to an Elise as you can get while retaining some measure of day to day practicality. Nothing adds more to the "fun to drive" metric on narrow roads than having room for some lateral movement while still staying in your lane.
  
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