Mini JCW GP confirmed for Australia

Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, the JCW GP is the fastest factory production Mini ever built for road use. Its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 225kW and 450Nm (55kW more than the Mini JCW) and is matched to an 8-speed Steptronic sports automatic transmission for a top speed of 265km/h and 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds.

The newly-developed turbocharger is one of many features created for or enhanced on the JCW GP. Others include a model-specific oil supply and race-developed cooling system, reinforced crankshaft, specific pistons and conrods, as well as a model-specific exhaust.

Suspension is specific to the JCW GP, too; lower by 10mm and with a wider track compared to the JCW, the specially-tuned springs are complemented by new bearings and increased camber on both the front and rear wheels.

High-performance sports brakes consist of 360mm ventilated front discs with four-piston fixed calipers and single-piston floating calipers on the rear discs, while the standard lightweight forged 18-inch wheels are fitted with high-performance 225/35 R18 tyres.

Distinctive bodywork includes bespoke front and rear aprons, carbon-topped wheelarch flares and a roof spoiler, all of which have been designed to optimise the car’s aerodynamic balance and funnel cooling air to the drivetrain and brake system. The double wing contour on the roof spoiler and the front spoiler lip significantly reduce lift compared to the JCW, while the reverse profile of the roof spoiler also reduces drag.

The distinctive, blade-style wheelarch flares on the JCW GP are a BMW Group first, combining a thermoplastic substructure with a carbon fibre outer shell that is actually made from recycled material used in the construction of the BMW i3 and i8. Each unit in the 3,000 production run for the JCW GP will have its individual number applied to the front wheelarch flare using a new paint transfer process.

The only exterior colour available for the JCW GP is Racing Grey metallic with Melting Silver metallic for the roof and mirror caps. Chilli Red highlights in the grille and spoilers is matched to Rosso Red metallic for the side stripes and ‘GP’ identification on the roof spoiler, while the Mini badging is black and the head and tail lights have been darkened.

Inside, JCW sports seats in a combination of Dinamica and leather, and a model-specific steering wheel, are standard. There’s also a cross brace behind the seats (finished in Chili Red), floormats with GP logos and the car’s individual number on the dash.

The Connected Media system is standard, with model-specific start-up and other information on the central 6.5-inch touchscreen, while the steering column-mounted 5-inch instrument display is fully digital. Options include the Connected Navigation Plus package and automatic climate control.

With John Cooper Works GP production limited to 3,000 units globally, 65 units have been secured for Australia, priced from $63,900 (incl. GST and LCT, excl. ORCs). Even at that price, Mini Australia said most of the allocation had already been accounted for by late November.