They showed us some pictures earlier this year and now they've spilled all the beans - so we now have the figures to tell you that the new John Cooper Works GP is the fastest production Mini ever made.
Set for a limited production run of just 2000 cars, following its Paris Motor Show debut later this year, the two-seat GP is literally dripping with John Cooper Works motorsport technology.
Thanks to a high-boost twin-scroll turbocharger, and other detailed changes, its 1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine hammers out 160kW at 6000rpm and 280Nm from 2000rpm. Mini's claiming a zero to 100km/h sprint time of just 6.3 seconds, an 80-120 in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 242km/h.
POWER AND CONTROL
This power comes with plenty of control as the GP boasts an adjustable coilover suspension system that allows the ride height to be lowered by 20mm. A further boost to grip is provided by special sports tyres covering the unique 17-inch alloy wheels.
Stopping force is provided by extra-powerful brakes with six-piston fixed-calliper discs, vented at the front.
What's more, and unlike other Minis, the Dynamic Stability Control is not paired with DTC, but rather with a special GP racing mode that brakes the wheel on the inside of the corner where necessary, but doesn't cut power.
To make doubly sure that the correct formula had been followed, the GP was extensively tested on the Nürburgring North Loop in Germany, where it achieved a best lap time of 8m23. That's 18 seconds quicker than its predecessor, by the way.
Lastly, the GP is set apart from the rest of the Mini range by an exclusive Thunder Grey metallic paint with red edging in places, 'GP' side strips, xenon headlights, aerodynamically-enhanced front and rear aprons, side-sills as well as a large rear spoiler and diffusor.