Take a look at the new MINI John Cooper Works GP
A rarity with racing genes sets new benchmarks for performance in the premium small car segment. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP (combined fuel consumption: 7.3 l/100 km, combined CO2 emissions: 167 g/km) is the fastest model of the British brand that has ever been approved for road use. A 225 kW/306 hp 4-cylinder turbocharged engine accelerates the two-seater model – based on the MINI 3 door – from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP will be presented to the public for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show (22 November to 1 December 2019) and subsequently produced in a limited edition of 3,000 units at the MINI plant in Oxford. Delivery to racing enthusiasts around the globe will get underway in March 2020.
An intense, purist race feeling is conveyed by what is by far the most powerful engine ever to be used in a small car of the brand, suspension technology that is fine-tuned based on John Cooper Works' comprehensive racing expertise and a body that is optimised in terms of lightweight construction, torsional stiffness and aerodynamics. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP offers unrivalled sporty flair and overwhelming agility. As such, it forms part of a fascinating tradition that has been closely linked to the name of the legendary Formula 1 designer John Cooper ever since the debut of the classic Mini 60 years ago. On both road and racetrack, this combination has been a constant source of sporting highlights: from the first Mini Cooper and winning the British Touring Car Championship to the three overall victories in the Monte Carlo Rally, the MINI Challenge racing series, achievements in the Dakar Rally and the latest generation of the John Cooper Works models.
The exclusive character of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP, uncompromisingly geared towards extreme driving pleasure, is expressed in both its engine power and its performance characteristics. More clearly than ever before, its standing is at the very forefront of the MINI and John Cooper Works model range. Its additional output over and above that of the MINI John Cooper Works is 55 kW/75 hp. As such, the outstanding position of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP is even more clearly defined than that of the extreme athletes of the two previous MINI model generations, each of which was manufactured in a small series of 2,000 units. The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit, launched in 2006 and the MINI John Cooper Works GP of 2013 already reflected unusually intense racing flair with their 160 kW/218 hp turbocharged engines, their specific suspension technology and their exclusive design and equipment features. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP takes the experience of performance in a premium small car to a whole new level. In the course of test drives as part of the series development process, it completed a lap of the Nordschleife at Nürburgring in less than eight minutes – almost half a minute faster than its direct predecessor.
The new MINI John Cooper Works GP: an overview of the highlights.
• 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology, 225 kW/306 hp and 450 Nm.
• 55 kW/75 hp more output than the MINI John Cooper Works.
• Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, top speed: 265 km/h (not cut off).
• Model-specific oil supply and cooling concept geared towards maximum performance.
• Model-specific sports exhaust system for emotionally powerful sound.
• 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission with integrated mechanical differential lock for the front wheels.
• Distinctive chassis design and set-up, suspension lowered by 10 mm as compared to the MINI John Cooper Works.
• Particularly high-performance sports brake system.
• Extremely rigid body structure, engine and suspension connection.
• Model-specific front and rear aprons.
• Roof spoiler with double-wing contour.
• Powerfully flared carbon wheel arch covers.
• Interior with two seats and model-specific cockpit.
Impressive source of power: 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology.
A 4-cylinder engine designed for maximum performance and based on motor racing expertise delivers the power required for the thrilling performance characteristics of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP. The 2.0-litre engine features the latest generation of MINI TwinPower Turbo technology as well as numerous precisely modified details that set it apart from the engine of the MINI John Cooper Works. Model-specific modifications include a reinforced crankshaft with enlarged main bearing diameter, specific pistons, bushless connecting rods and a new torsional vibration damper with optimised cooling.
In addition, the extreme performance of the 4-cylinder engine is achieved by means of a newly developed turbocharger. It is integrated into the exhaust manifold and fitted with a divert-air valve that helps optimise its response. The compression ratio of the engine in the MINI John Cooper Works has been reduced from 10.2 to 9.5 in line with the increased boost pressure as provided by the system. The intake air duct has also been newly developed. Enlarged inlet and flow cross-sections and the increased volume of the noise damper ensure maximum dethrottling.
In addition, the latest generation of petrol direct injection is conducive to spontaneous power development. Its new multi-hole injectors, arranged centrally between the valves, are able to cope with an increased flow rate, transporting the fuel into the combustion chambers at an injection pressure of up to 350 bar. The fine atomisation enables precise metering of the fuel and in addition to optimised efficiency also results in particularly clean combustion. MINI TwinPower Turbo technology also includes fully variable valve control based on VALVETRONIC as patented by the BMW Group and variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust sides (double VANOS).
In addition, the new MINI John Cooper Works GP features a model-specific engine oil sump with increased volume and a distinctive geometry. This ensures a reliable oil supply at all times, even during extremely sporty driving involving high levels of longitudinal and lateral acceleration.
Spontaneous power delivery, unbridled forward thrust.
The extensive modifications to the basic engine and to the MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology result in a particularly spontaneous response to every movement of the accelerator pedal as well as continuous development of power up into the high engine speed range. The 4-cylinder engine develops its maximum torque of 450 Nm at a speed of 1 750 rpm, maintaining this torque up into the 4 500 rpm range. The maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp is available between 5 000 and 6 250 rpm.
The resulting pulling power can be used for exceptionally spirited acceleration manoeuvres. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP sprints from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. Thanks to the high elasticity of its engine, it is also capable of leaving higher-category sports cars behind on intermediate sprints. There is no artificial limit to the vehement forward thrust of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP – even at higher speeds. The top speed is 265 km/h.
Model-specific exhaust system generates an emotionally powerful sound.
The spontaneous development of power and the unbridled revving of the engine are underscored by the emotionally striking sound production of the exhaust system, which was developed specifically for the model. The drive acoustics authentically express the outstanding performance characteristics of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP. When driving in a relaxed manner in the low engine speed range the car produces a restrained, sonorous sound. Under full load, spirited power development is supported by the low exhaust back pressure and accompanied by a sound that is inspired by motor racing. This acoustic accentuation of the car’s extremely sporty character additionally contributes to the performance experience for driver and passenger.
The straight pipe ducting of the exhaust system leads into a particularly large rear silencer with a specific interior design. From there, two tailpipes with matt brushed stainless steel trim and a diameter of 90 millimetres each branch off centrally into the rear apron. These also provide an authentic visual showcase for the purist character of the drive technology, which is geared towards maximum performance. One of the features which optimise the exhaust system’s emission response is a petrol engine particulate filter. Exhaust gas purification in the new MINI John Cooper Works GP complies with the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standard.
Independent cooling concept developed based on racing expertise.
The performance characteristics of the engine pave the way for outstanding performance which can be experienced both on the road and on the race track. The temperature management requirements this involves are met by a cooling concept developed especially for the new MINI John Cooper Works GP based on racing expertise. Two external coolant coolers for the high-temperature circuit, a model-specific expansion tank with increased volume, an specifically designed coolant module storage system and an electric fan with increased output ensure that the engine maintains its optimum operating temperature at all times – even under high loads and with an extremely sporty driving style.
The crankcase cooling system can be temporarily shut off by means of a new split-cooling valve to optimise the engine's warm-up response. In addition, the transmission also has a separate cooling circuit.
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