Mini has revealed its fastest production car to date the second-generation John Cooper Works GP. Set to make its public debut in September at the Paris motor show, the go-fast hatchback builds on the solid performance credentials of the standard Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works with a slightly more powerful engine, upgraded suspension, reinforced body, larger brakes and various styling changes.
The pocket rocket packs 218 hp from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Torque peaks at 1,750 rpm with 192 lb-ft, and an over boost feature allows for 207 lb-ft for spurts of speed. Drive is channeled to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Mini says the GP hits 62 mph in 6.3 seconds, and top speed is 150 mph.
The heightened dynamic properties of this model rather than outright straight-line speed set the GP apart, Mini boss Kay Segler said. Central to upgrades is an adjustable suspension that makes the GP highly suitable for track-day outings.
New adjustable dampers allow the ride height to be lowered by 0.8 inch. The geometry has been completely revised, with the front dampers turned 180 degrees and mounted upside down in a move Mini says helps provide significantly improved cornering ability, owing to added camber offset.
The car can lap the Nurburgring in 8 minutes, 23 seconds a whopping 18 seconds faster than the first-gen John Cooper Works GP.
Further changes include the adoption of grippy Kumho Ecsta tires; Recaro sports seats up front; a substantial strut brace set across the space usually dedicated to the rear seat; larger brakes; a re calibrated electronic-stability program with a so-called GP racing mode; and a range of subtle aerodynamic tweaks that help improve the drag coefficient.
Mini plans to limit John Cooper Works GP production to just 2,000 units, a quarter of which are heading to the United States, which is set to become the new car’s biggest single market.
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