BMW’s MINI division confirmed it is presently working on a 300-hp version of its Cooper. More specifically the GP, if it comes to fruition, would be a special edition of the John Cooper Works (JCW) variant, and it would become the fastest and most powerful MINI ever produced.
The company actually introduced a precursor to the GP at the Frankfurt auto show in 2017. That concept had a muscular physique due to the set of skirts affixed to it on the front bumper, the flanks and the rear, which also got a massive spoiler. This week MINI published some images that provide at least a glimpse of the future GP, and which reveal that the spoiler remains in place. Carbon fibre will be used liberally throughout to help keep the overall weight down.
Mechanically, MINI will place a 2.0L 4-cylinder under the hood and is promising an output north of 300 hp. No word yet on the transmission that will harness that power, but we would be very surprised if a manual gearbox was not part of the product offering. As for which wheels will get that power delivered directly, we’ll have to wait and see there as well. A FWD configuration would mean MINI’s engineers will have work to do to keep in check what is expected to be an exceptional amount of torque.
This is a challenge Honda had with its Civic Type R, so this shouldn’t be an impossible task for the UK manufacturer.
For the moment, the model is still in the texting phase, both on roads in Europe and on the track. Production is scheduled to begin in 2020.
The company also announced it will limit production to 3,000 units; we don’t know yet which markets will get those.
