Mini warms up the JCW GP around the Nurburgring

Tuesday, 25 June 2019

Mini showed off its latest hot John Cooper Works GP model at the Nurburgring, with a demonstration run at the legendary track during the weekend of the 24 Hour race.

Mini has shown off its upcoming hottest John Cooper Works model - the JCW GP - for the first time to the public as part of the pre-race programme for 24 hour race at the Nurburgring.

The latest incarnation of the John Cooper Works GP is currently completing set-up runs on the legendary Nurburgring-Nordschleife as part of its series development process before being produced next year in a limited edition of 3,000 units, a few of which have been confirmed for New Zealand.

While the new car's immediate predecessor went around the Nurburgring-Nordschleife in 8:23 minutes, the prototype of the new car has already gone around the legendary 'Green Hell' in less than eight minutes.

With more than 220kW and an over-the-top bodykit, the new JCW GP is sure to be the wildest Mini yet.

While that is impressive enough, the company is quick to point out that its testing programme is not over yet, hinting strongly that it expects a further improvement in lap times.

**READ MORE:

Three generations of awesome - a Cooper S with the original JCW GP kit, the first JCW GP model from 2012 and the new one.

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* Five things you need to know about the Cooper name**

The new John Cooper Works GP is powered by a version of BMW's 2.0-litre turbo four with more than 220kW of power and features a distinctively different and extremely aggressive look with wide open air intakes, large light alloy wheels, aggressively flared front and rear aprons and a massive roof spoiler being clearly obvious, despite the disguise applied for testing purposes.

As an added nostalgic bonus for race attendees, the prototype of the new JCW GP belted ot its demonstration runs both with its immediate predecessor, as well as a Mini Cooper S with a John Cooper Works GP Kit, which started the whole 'GP' model run in 2006.

Both the JCW GP and the GP Kit were produced in a small series of 2,000 units each and have gone on to become coveted collectors' items. Expect the new car to follow that trend.