RE: Mini reveals JCW GP prototype at N24

[shoestring7]

indapendentlee said:

I was expecting this to be north of £40k given what a boggo JCW comes in at by the time you've ticked a few options. Not sure if I'd take this at 35k or the JCW challenge from a couple of years back at 23-25 but definitely looks reasonable value and should fall under the magic £40k mark with some creature comforts added.

I was expecting >£40k too. Not sure what 'creature comforts' you'd want to add though. From what I can see there's only one suspension setting and one transmission option, and I don't believe for a moment Mini will offer a stripper sans wireless or a/c. What's left other than some useless 'infotainment' nonsense or fake carbon fibre trim?

SS7

[GranCab]

Matt Wills said:

Why not make it 4WD too then you can have yet another pointless car. Mini used to make great fun nimble cars especially with the R53 Cooper S but then they've just got bigger and more useless with each new model. Why is it auto is it because a Mini is now really hard to drive or is it because BMW can just slot in a generic powertrain.

This is one of the most marketing focused cash grabbing cars I've ever seen and it makes me sick.

Don't buy one then ... I'm sure MINI won't be upset.

[DSC OFF]

Give me a Challenge edition with a remap any day of the week

[DSC OFF]

[HorneyMX5]

That's a pre production car as the number is 9011 on the wing.

[The1Driver]

Not as good looking as the previous GPs imo.

[Baileyk]

Matt Wills said:

Why not make it 4WD too then you can have yet another pointless car. Mini used to make great fun nimble cars especially with the R53 Cooper S but then they've just got bigger and more useless with each new model. Why is it auto is it because a Mini is now really hard to drive or is it because BMW can just slot in a generic powertrain.

This is one of the most marketing focused cash grabbing cars I've ever seen and it makes me sick.

Could be levelled at every single replacement model ever built i.e. heavier, longer, wider and auto.

[Fire99]

Baileyk said:

Could be levelled at every single replacement model ever built i.e. heavier, longer, wider and auto.

Other than the current MX5 which is lighter and smaller, and the new Toyota Supra which is lighter and smaller

[Baileyk]

Supra is an auto, so my point still sort of stands.

[hrnheritageautomobiles]

Wrong price, starts from £33,895 as per an email from my dealer this morning.

[Dr Interceptor]

hrnheritageautomobiles said:

Wrong price, starts from £33,895 as per an email from my dealer this morning.

The press release from MINI UK yesterday suggests your dealer has the wrong price... The press release said £34,995 OTR.

[9k rpm]

Will this have rear seats?

[HorneyMX5]

No.

[Drekly]

Can anyone photoshop how the crud catcher flaps would look if the gaps between the body were filled in to form conventional flared arches? And paint them body colour.

[WCZ]

nickfrog said:

Perhaps but have you driven both at the limit on track to compare?

smaller cars tend to be more fun

[Leins]

Over 300bhp and only two exhaust pipes?! Someone at MINI has taken leave of their senses

Have to admit the looks don't really do it for me, but I suspect this thing is going to be a riot to drive

[nickfrog]

WCZ said:

nickfrog said:

Perhaps but have you driven both at the limit on track to compare?

smaller cars tend to be more fun

Sure but plenty of other factors too. Set up to start with and the Meg in particular is a lot of fun, what with the neutral balance and lively rear end. I can't see one being "much more fun" than the other.

[Quickmoose]

the definition of gopping IMO
current generation of Mini, makes me grimace
previous (56) leaves me non-plussed
previous (53) makes me smile

I was and am a little sad that BMW max'd the style/performance thing over engineering and innovation...transport for all, ground breaking packaging... but hey profit rules right...

[Leins]

Funnily enough the R53 GP was routinely criticised for its looks when first released, with a lot of "crashed through Halfords" comments. It does look pretty restrained now in comparison though IMO

[addz86]

It’s certainly not a looker but I’ll withhold some judgement ‘till I’ve seen it in the flesh, the few dealers I’ve asked seem to have no idea about them