The Super-MINI Redefined
Let's forget for a minute that the car I'm about to show you might never make it to Canada. And in case you happen to fall
head over heels for it and are contemplating heading south to purchase one in the U.S. and then import it northward, that probably won't be possible either. No, this little number will most likely be for Euro MINI fans only, which is a giant shame.
Of course, with preparations well underway for the next-generation MINI, many would rather wait for what most believe will be a vastly improved new model than lament lost opportunity to lay hands on what is no doubt the most exciting OEM version of the current generation Cooper S in memory.
It seems that BMW, MINI's parent, isn't going to let the last model year of one of its biggest sellers simply fizzle into memory - it's going to go out with a bang! A final edition is being prepared, delivering more of what MINI enthusiasts crave: fun.
The final hurrah for the MINI Mk.II will be a special commemorative model, the
Cooper S John Cooper Works GP. As you might have guessed, the main goal is absolute performance, building atop the current MINI performance king, the Cooper S Works. A credible machine to begin with, in any guise, the MINI has shown time and time again that it can run with even the best of performance sports cars on a windy road.
The Cooper S GP marks the pinnacle in factory-tuned performance for the engine. The tiny, Chrysler-sourced 1.6-litre four-cylinder has been pushed to its absolute boundaries, up a further 8-horsepower over the John Cooper Works for a total output of 218-horsepower. Torque hasn't changed, with some 180 lb-ft available. The car ought to sound great too, as it features the Works "Sound" exhaust kit.
Let's forget for a minute that the car I'm about to show you might never make it to Canada. And in case you happen to fall
 |
| The last model year of the current MINI won't simply fizzle into memory - it's going to go out with a bang! (Photo: MINI Canada) |
Of course, with preparations well underway for the next-generation MINI, many would rather wait for what most believe will be a vastly improved new model than lament lost opportunity to lay hands on what is no doubt the most exciting OEM version of the current generation Cooper S in memory.
It seems that BMW, MINI's parent, isn't going to let the last model year of one of its biggest sellers simply fizzle into memory - it's going to go out with a bang! A final edition is being prepared, delivering more of what MINI enthusiasts crave: fun.
The final hurrah for the MINI Mk.II will be a special commemorative model, the
 |
| The final hurrah for the MINI Mk.II will be a special commemorative model, the Cooper S John Cooper Works GP. (Photo: MINI Canada) |
The Cooper S GP marks the pinnacle in factory-tuned performance for the engine. The tiny, Chrysler-sourced 1.6-litre four-cylinder has been pushed to its absolute boundaries, up a further 8-horsepower over the John Cooper Works for a total output of 218-horsepower. Torque hasn't changed, with some 180 lb-ft available. The car ought to sound great too, as it features the Works "Sound" exhaust kit.