MINI GP II revealed

 

The MINI John Cooper Works GP II is a final fling for the second-generation hatch – and while MINI has yet to reveal how much power the car has, it’s said the newcomer will lap the famous Nurburgring race track in Germany 19 seconds faster than 2006’s original GP, in eight minutes and 23 seconds.

Only 2,000 examples of the GP II will be produced, and the company is promising a better power-to-weight ratio than in any MINI before it. Plus, the bumpers are beefed-up front and rear, while side skirts and a unique roof spoiler are backed up by a bespoke underbody diffuser. 

Racy red colour coding on the brake vents and bonnet intakes is repeated on the mirror caps. And if that’s not enough, there are GP graphics on the doors as well.

The newcomer should be one of the best-handling MINIs ever, too. The chassis has adjustable ‘race’ suspension, stiffened for improved cornering. A set of special alloys with stickier tyres will also help, while the stronger brakes will allow drivers to attack corners with more confidence.

The extreme feel continues inside. MINI has removed the rear seat – just as it did in the 2006 model – while up front is a set of sports seats that will hold the driver and passenger firmly in place.

Although we don’t know how much power the 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine will deliver, the previous MINI GP added around 8bhp to the regular JCW of the time.

If the new version follows suit – as is likely – that would mean at least 216bhp.And it would enable the GP II to eclipse the JCW’s 6.8-second 0-62mph sprint time.

However fast it can go, the MINI GP II is likely to cost around £25,000 when it arrives in dealers here later this month.

autoexpress.co.uk