You Will Probably Not Get The 306 HP MINI John Cooper Works GP

Together with the all-electric MINI Cooper S, MINI Malaysia also introduced the MINI John Cooper Works GP, as part of the brands 61st birthday celebration. The John Cooper Works GP is regarded as the most powerful MINI GP ever built for that enhanced go-kart feeling. The catch is this variant is limited to only 3,000 units globally. Malaysia has been allocated 10 units and they all seem to be spoken for (unless one or two change their minds).

“In MINI’s 60 years of gracing both the racetrack and the streets, we continue to be revelled for our legendary racing success that took the industry by storm in 2006. Today, 14 years on, designers and engineers at MINI are paying tribute to the first MINI John Cooper Works GP once again with the successor – the fastest and most powerful MINI GP ever built. With only 10 units made available for MINIacs in Malaysia, we look forward to the New MINI John Cooper Works GP setting new benchmarks for performance in the premium compact car segment,” said Harald Hoelzl, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia.

Most Powerful 3-Door MINI

The MINI John Cooper Works GP is fitted with the most powerful engine ever put into a series-production MINI 3-Door. The 2.0L four-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo is paired with an 8-speed Steptronic transmission with mechanical differential lock and produces 306 hp and 450 Nm of torque. This allows the car a century sprint time of 5.2 seconds. Maximum speed is 265 km/h. At the Green Hell a.k.a. Nürburgring, it takes this MINI less than eight minutes to go around, making it significantly faster than its predecessor. The 8-speed transmission is operated via a model-specific electronic gear selector switch, and GP shift paddles on the steering.

Model-specific modifications to the engine include a reinforced crankshaft with enlarged main bearing diameter, specific pistons, bushless connecting rods and a new torsional vibration damper with optimised cooling. The extreme performance is also achieved by a newly developed turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold and fitted with a divert-air valve that helps optimise response. The intake air duct is also a newly developed unit. Further, enlarged inlet and flow cross-sections, and increased volume of the noise damper ensure maximum dethrottling.

This is a direct injection petrol engine and as such is capable of higher power production. The new multi-hole injectors, arranged centrally between the valves, can cope with an increased flow rate of up to 350 bar of pressure. The MINI TwinPower Turbo technology also includes VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing.

The JCW GP also features a model-specific engine oil sump with increased volume and distinctive geometry. This ensures a reliable oil supply at all times, even during extremely sporty driving involving high levels of longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

Meanwhile, the latest generation of the transmission has increased internal efficiency and an extended spread. The torque converter clutch, which is closed immediately after set-off, ensures a direct engine link and a spontaneous driving feel. A new transmission control system also enables a sportier shifting strategy, with sharper brake downshifts and direct multiple downshifts during aggressive acceleration.

Increased engine speed level, direct feedback on shift commands and a further increase in shift dynamics are also noticeable in automatic sports mode (DS transmission mode). The acoustic comfort is also further optimised by a newly developed torsion damper.

Specific Suspension Set-up & DSC with GP Mode.

In the course of an intensive testing programme on the Nürburgring Nordschleife and other racetracks, the MINI John Cooper Works GP was precisely tuned to the car’s extremely high engine output. The model-specific versions of the single-joint sprint strut for the front wheels and the multi-link rear axle were also optimised in terms of component stiffness.

The track widths were also increased, and the body lowered by 10 mm compared to the regular MINI John Cooper Works, for increased agility.

Additionally, the suspension has specially tuned suspension springs and adapted auxiliary springs, dampers and stabilisers. Newly designed swivel bearings enable increased camber levels on the front and rear wheels to increase the potential for transmitting lateral forces during dynamic cornering. Stabiliser bearings on the front and rear axles with particularly high preload optimise roll support during spontaneous steering movements.

The precise handling characteristics of the New MINI John Cooper Works GP are enhanced by stiffer rubber bearings in the support bearings of the front and rear axles. The four wishbones on the rear axle are fitted on the outside with clearance-free metal ball sleeve joints instead of rubber mounts, while on the inside there are highly rigid rubber mounts. The strut in the engine compartment is bolted directly to the support bearings of the front axle.

Embracing The Racing

The MINI John Cooper Works GP is available exclusively and only in Racing Grey metallic, with the roof and exterior mirror caps finished in contrasting Melting Silver metallic. The hexagonal radiator grille, the inserts in the lower air intake and the inside of the roof spoiler are finished in high-gloss Chili Red for an aggressive impression.

This is further accentuated by the GP insignia stylised in Rosso Red metallic matte on the front and rear, outer sides of the roof spoiler, foils above the side skirts and the door sill finishers. Contrasting these is the black finish of the headlamps and rear light surrounds, the central radiator grille, the door handles, the fuel filler flap, the inlay on the bonnet and the MINI logos at the front and rear.

The 18″ forged wheels that come with this hot hatch are lightweight units weighing less than nine kg, and wear GP hub caps. The car’s aerodynamic enhancements also include the large and striking flared wheel arch trims which are manufactured through a special process with a material combination used for the first time by the BMW Group. This trim uses a thermoplastic substructure and an outer shell made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), making this JCW GP the BMW Group’s first production vehicle to feature an exposed matte CFRP coating.

Further, the individual numbering from “0001” to “3000” is applied to the front wheel arch panels by means of a newly developed paint transfer process and spells further exclusivity of the car.

Limited Edition Interior

The interior is similarly decked out in exclusive trim. It is equipped with John Cooper Works sports seats in Leather Dinamica with silver side edges, red accent seams, a GP badge under the integrated headrests and red belt straps. Do note that the rear seats have been removed.

The interior trim on the passenger side also bears the exclusive numbering, produced individually for each one of the 3,000 units using 3D printing. The 3D printing process also developed the features on the model-specific John Cooper Works Leather Steering Wheel including the metal centre marking for the 12 o’clock position, as well as the shift paddles. In addition to the GP logo, a characteristic honeycomb structure can be seen on the paddle surfaces.

Colour accents are provided by the red GP logos on the floor mats, matching double stripes on the gear selector and the Chili Red painted aluminium cross-brace behind the front seats. This serves as a shield to prevent luggage items from slipping forward in the event of sudden braking. If you look closely, there are no rear seats.

Advanced Infotainment

The MINI Visual Boost comes as a standard with Navigation System, displaying model-specific information on the 8.8″ screen in the central instrument panel. The standard trim also includes a black panel digital instrument cluster on the steering column. The high-resolution 5″ colour screen shows the road speed both numerically and on a scale, as well as model-specific displays including temporary feedback and permanent display after activation of the GP mode.

The Visual Boost can be operated via the intuitive touchscreen, the MINI controller or the Voice Control. Owners can also connect their iPhone wirelessly to the vehicle and use the MINI Visual Boost to access numerous features on the phone with Apple CarPlay. Wireless Charging is also standard. Also noteworthy is the MINI Connected features such as Intelligent Emergency Call, MINI TeleServices and Remote Services.

Price

If still available, the recommended retail price (with the current sales tax reduction) is RM377,470.90 (on the road for personal registration, without insurance).

MINI Financing

Balloon Financing from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia allows for ownership of the MINI John Cooper Works GP to start from RM4,184 a month (based on estimates of 80% loan on a five-year tenure).

MINI Roadside Assistance

The New MINI John Cooper Works GP is covered by MINI Malaysia’s 5 Years Roadside Assistance programme, available for all new MINI vehicles with a comprehensive list of services that include a 24-Hour, 365-days-a-year Accident and Help on the Phone and On the Spot Hotline, Free Towing Services and when needed (over 200 km from residential home) Replacement Vehicle, Seamless Mobility, Accommodation, Mobility Services Solutions as well as Repatriation services.

The MINI Roadside Assistance programme can be accessed by contacting 1800-88-8808.

MINI Service Online

The new MINI online service programme will now allow customers to schedule their service needs directly at their preferred MINI Authorised Dealerships via https://service.mini.my/

For more information, visit www.mini.my.