Skip advert
Advertisement

2012 Mini John Cooper Works GP

Mini United 2012 sees the reveal of the second generation Mini John Cooper Works GP, a more hardcore hot hatch

This weekend’s Mini United event has seen Mini unveil its new John Cooper Works GP. It’s the second-generation GP hot hatch, and like its 2006 forebear, comes near the end of its base model’s production run. It’s also set to be the fastest, most hardcore Mini you can buy, with race derived, adjustable suspension and a 1.6-litre turbo engine with upwards of 220bhp. Firm technical details are thin on the ground, Mini merely revealing an 8min23sec Nurburgring Nordschleife laptime. At 19sec quicker than the original Works GP, though, it hints at a power output healthier than its predecessor’s. With the current JCW’s 208bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine tuned past 250bhp elsewhere (such as in Citroen’s DS4 Racing concept), a figure somewhere north of the mk1 GP’s 215bhp will be easily attained.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new GP is more track-focussed than the original, featuring fully adjustable race-derived suspension - with new springs and dampers - and a set of Kumho tyres that have been developed specifically for the GP. It's been thoroughly tested at the Nurburgring, as well as a fair amount of mileage on UK roads, so it shouldn't be quite as unforgiving as the original GP on the road. Styling tweaks are liberally inspired by the original GP, with Thunder Grey metallic paint and striking red detailing, four-spoke alloy wheels and a carbon fibre rear spoiler mounted on the hatchback. This is just part of the aerodynamic package, which features a sealed underbody, said to create genuine downforce.

The new John Cooper Works GP ditches the regular Mini’s rear seats, like its 2006 predecessor, with a strut-brace in its place. The front seats have been replaced with a pair of light-weight Recaros, to complement the other weight-saving measures – the original cutting 40kg over a regular Cooper S. The 2012 Mini John Cooper Works GP goes on sale later this year, with its bespoke mechanicals likely resulting in a price tag approaching £30,000. Just 2000 will be made. evo is at Mini United 2012, held at Circuit Paul Ricard in France. Keep your eyes on evo.co.uk for a gallery of images and a report from the event. You can also read a review of the original Mini Cooper S Works GP.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good
Mini JCW – front
Reviews

Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good

The petrol-powered JCW lives on – for now. But in its latest incarnation, has this supermini survivor become too hardcore?
6 Jul 2025
Mini JCW Electric 2025 review – the Alpine A290 has nothing to worry about
Mini JCW Electric – front
Reviews

Mini JCW Electric 2025 review – the Alpine A290 has nothing to worry about

Mini has given its new-generation electric hatch the JCW treatment, with Alpine’s A290 in its sights. The results are… mixed
4 Jun 2025
2025 Mini John Cooper Works gets design tweaks but no more power
2025 Mini JCW
News

2025 Mini John Cooper Works gets design tweaks but no more power

Following the launch of the JCW Electric, Mini has revealed its updated petrol-powered John Cooper Works 
22 Oct 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025