Let’s not mince words. Some of Mini’s new models, which seem to come out with every full moon, are quite bizarre concoctions. One in particular attempts to blend one-part hot-hatch, with a spoonful of all-wheel drive SUV and a sprinkling of coupé into one motley motor car.
So, isn’t it refreshing to know that the brand, once known for its giant-killing reputation in motorsport, can still get back to its nucleus with a Mini so focussed on pure performance that it almost forgets it’s a road-legal vehicle?
This is the new Mini John Cooper Works GP, and it’s the two letter suffix that’s important here. Just like the first iteration of the GP did when it came out in 2006, this car claims to be the fastest Mini yet. Its maker, BMW, says 0-100km/h comes in 6.3 seconds and it’ll top out at 242.
Interestingly, the new GP’s Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8 minutes 23 seconds is a 19 second improvement on the seven-year-old, but equally racy version.
ONLY BOY RACERS NEED APPLY
The GP part of the equation, just like last time, means that unnecessary items like back seats and springs that provide any sort of ride comfort whatsoever have been ditched in the name of sheer pace.
Swivel your head around 180 degrees, and where a normal Mini JCW’s two rear buckets would be is now a shiny red chassis brace spanning the width of the car. I’m sure it’s a functional addition, but the statement it makes: “Back seats? Ha! I’ll see you and your silly passengers at the finish line!”, outweighs any on-track gains by far.
Now the suspension. How do I say this? It’s hard. Very hard. Full-blown racing-car hard. In fact, the four shocks fitted are proper Bilstein coilovers with ride-height adjustment just like you’d find in the Class T Minis that race in South African Production Cars.
On normal roads, even the slightest ripple is transmitted right through the chassis with harsh jitters – which can be dangerous if exploring handling limits on less than perfect tarmac. Bomb into a bumpy corner too fast with the GP, and grip can be compromised by the wheels losing contact with the ground.
TRACK GEM
On the track though, the GP’s a dream. The Mini’s natural short wheelbase combines with the trick suspension to make for a hot hatch like no other. Tiny inputs of the wheel mean drastic changes of direction, and if you can force some smoothness into the steering system it’ll carve its way beautifully from apex to apex. The standard Kumho semi-slick tyres also add to insane lateral G-forces and a pair of Recaro buckets keep bodies in check.
The Mini GP’s brakes (six piston callipers in the front!) are equal to the suspension in their unyielding nature. Mere millimetres of pedal travel result in whiplash stopping power, and on my first few drives I found myself coming to a halt far short of the car in front of me at robots. Again, this works out wonderfully on track where it’s possible to barrel into bends with utmost confidence knowing the car will slow adequately before turn in.
Power is quoted at 160kW and 280Nm, which is only just more than what comes from a normal JCW’s 1.6 turbo, but with a weight savings of 200kg (remember those back seats) the GP is able to trump its more passenger-oriented sibling in performance. At our test facility we actually beat Mini’s claimed acceleration time with a best sprint of 6.2 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.2. Thing is, I feel we could have done even better if the clutch pedal’s return spring wasn’t so wussy in operation. Under full aggression it sticks to the floor momentarily, slapping the bottom of your left foot on the way up, causing slight hesitations before throttle can be fully applied after each gear change. Something to look at, Mini.
VERDICT
A full-on race car for the road. All that’s missing is a roll cage. The Mini JCW GP is a bundle of energy, and can be loads of fun on normal roads, but only if your spine can handle the harsh suspension. If you’re shooting out to fetch a dozen eggs, I recommend taking the wife’s car.
At R404 000 the GP comes at a premium of more than fifty grand over its normal JCW counterpart. Only 2 000 were made, and only 30 of those have come to SA. And they’re all sold. Sorry. -Star Motoring
Enjoy a clip from our road test on video: