Driven (briefly): Mini GP
We have a quick but satisfying go in the 218hp, limited-run Mini GP
The GP version of the John Cooper Works achieved a kind of cult status when it first appeared in 2006 to mark the end of the first 'new' Mini. The UK allocation from the limited run of 2,000 were sold out before the £22,000 car properly went on sale.
This time Mini says our (unknown) allocation of the similarly restricted run of 2,000 worldwide hasn't yet been snapped up, but at £28,970 you've got to be a serious Mini nut to want one.
Brace! Brace! Brace!
Once again the rear seats are lost to a shiny strut brace and power is up 7hp on the £22,455 John Cooper Works hatch it's based on.
In total 55kg has been removed from the JCW car to bring weight down to 1,160kg, partly helped by the lightweight 17-inch wheels that copy the design of those on the original GP. Apart from the ECU tweak to lift power to 218hp, the GP also gains expensive new springs and dampers that can be manually adjusted to lower the ride height by 20mm for track days. Sticky tyres help with track grip while torso grip comes from some deep Recaros with alcantara covering for the bum and back.
Gym fit
Despite being 35kg lighter than the old car, there's enough sound deadening material this time to stop the tininess of the door slam. A quick run behind a Mini Challenge race car around a short but surprisingly good track on Mallorca won't be as exciting as the rapid 8min 23sec lap of the Nurburgring Mini claims, but we're not complaining.
First impressions? The 1.6-litre turbo engine still sounds bland, even when revving hard. Disappointing that some of the over-run crackle of the Challenge car couldn't be sneaked in.
More so
But that expensive JCW makeover of the PSA Peugeot Citroen shared engine has created a powerful, flexible unit. As the official 0-62mph time of 6.3sec points to, the GP is properly fast and that's leading to some pretty untidy lappery as we work out where the track goes.
As we bump over kerbs it's clear the GP has a very pleasing compliancy in the suspension. Guessing here, but it might a combination of the weight loss and the extra stiffness from the strut brace allowing for more softness without compromising grip.
Unlike with the last GP, there's no mechanical limited-slip diff this time so it does scrabble out of corners. That also sends the stability control light flashing, but to cure that there's the 'GP racing mode' which cuts out all help bar an electronic version of LSD that brakes the inner wheel to cure understeer. Without any interference you can tighten the line with a lift of the throttle into the bend. This is properly good fun now.
The steering is nicely direct as you'd expect from a Mini and the six-speed gearbox doesn't obstruct the shifting. Both are more road than race, but that's where it'll live the majority of its life.
Our four-lap, thumbs-up verdict needs the scrutiny of a proper UK road drive, but as a garage toy the car fits the bill. The gaudy red detailing, deep chin and the roof spoiler are the right show-off touches for a car that doesn't really have to apologise for its existence, not when you've got a fanbase as large as Mini's.
MINI JCW GP
Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 218@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 260@2,200-5,800rpm
0-62mph: 6.3 seconds
Top speed: 150mph
Weight: 1,160kg
MPG: 39.8mpg
CO2: 165g/km
Price: £28,790
IMO although great cars it would be a shame if this car got you hero status at the event when their are some truely great home garage built classic mini's which have had X years of blood sweat and tears placing at the show too.
Looks nice for what it is, but i cant see how people can justify the price... bit like the Audi A1 Quattro which seem to be appearing in Audi delaerships at 41k
NOW THIS IS A HERO CAR (taken from Readers Cars)
And more info on the Mini here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Now as someone who runs his second factory JCW hatch, currently a 2012 JCW, I can add that I've been lucky enough to have 'had a ride' in the GP2 r/h drive.
In 'Racing Mode' it is utterly fantastic! It holds the road like nothing else I've been in (and I've been in a few cars in the last 45 years since getting my licence).
I'd say it makes my JCW seem tame. And that's saying something.
http://aebergon.perso.neuf.fr/Land_Rover/page_Rove...
David,
I also wonder why BMW stick with a 218hp output when it is easy and cheap to get a reliable 260-270 and proportional torque increase from the same unit with a bigger intercooler, less restrictive cat downpipe and some map changes. The "electronic lsd" and stability control sound like the standard JCW setup.
On my second mini (a JCW) with the power upgrade but otherwise standard and they come alive with a bit more power.
Having said that I am sure they will sell them all and they do look great IMHO.
The rhd GP2 I had a quick pass-seat ride in was out and about doing over 900 miles this weekend, up north and back (some will have no doubt seen it flash by them!).
My JCW cost nearly £25k with some extras. I love my JCW (second one) and I thought the GP2 would be a harder ride - no, it's not and it's as tight as f...! The grip is unbelievable.
Just reading those last 3 paragraphs in the PH drive above should tell you they were impressed a tad (here, on a anti-MINI forum!).
The GP2 also has 6-pot calipers, the dash is leather and red-sewn... all the extras like Recaros would push a JCW hatch up to the GP2 price or beyond. If it wasn't for the lack of the seating I'd be in like a shot to get one. Even the fuel consumption is superb when considering how it is driven.
Oh, and as for needs a fruitier exhaust... this thing pops and bangs all the time!
Race car on the road sums it up.
What stops me from being interested in this is the fact that it's turbocharged. While the Mini will never be a good looking car, at least when it was supercharged it had something to set it apart from the bunch. I went out in a friend's supercharged Cooper S the other day and the induction noise and supercharger whine was a hoot, they just don't sound great since the move to turbocharging.
Regarding the comment about the exhaust being rubbish, they've always been rubbish, but then I can't think of any hot hatch that has what I'd call a "good" exhaust setup these days, they are all flat and dull to meet noise emission constraints. They can sound a bit more exciting with something freer flowing, with less baffling.
But make no mistakes, set up well with the right tyres, it's a mighty little car. See these vids on the ring.
http://youtu.be/-FTjiWjotoA
http://aebergon.perso.neuf.fr/Land_Rover/page_Rove...
David,
Actually the MGOC have a ZR courtesy car fitted with Yokies all round which is surprisingly good fun to chuck about.
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