MINI FIRST UK DRIVE
EQUIPMENT PRACTICALITY
BEFORE you even lay eyes on MINI’s latest model, there’s one figure that tells you everything you need to know about it: 164mph. The third iteration of the John Cooper Works GP is the fastest, maddest and most unhinged MINI ever.
Only 575 examples of the 3,000 to be built will be sold to UK buyers, which means MINI can slap a premium on such a car – and it has. At £35,345, the GP is the most expensive MINI hatch ever made, but you get quite a lot of small car for your money.
As a quick recap, this latest GP uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine developing 302bhp and 450Nm of torque. We have seen that sort of power in a MINI before, but only in combination with fourwheel drive. The GP is front-wheel drive only and comes exclusively with an eightspeed automatic gearbox. No manual ’box is available, even as an option.
The GP’s cosmetic makeover is certainly eye-catching, but not exactly tasteful. The exoskeleton-style, carbon-fibre wheelarches have been added to allow MINI to widen the front track, to help improve the car’s grip, but they look like an afterthought and simply appear to have been stuck on.
Our first drive in Germany (Issue 1,624) showed the GP to be a feisty and fun hot hatch, but question marks were raised over the car’s ride quality – or lack of it. Within just the first mile on UK roads it’s apparent that the GP’s set-up is very focused, but unforgiving. The suspension is extremely firm, which means the car bobs and fidgets over mildly uneven surfaces.
One thing you can’t question is the effectiveness of the 302bhp engine. There’s
“MINI says 0-62mph takes 5.2 seconds, which is staggeringly quick for a front-wheel-drive car”
NEED TO KNOW
The latest MINI GP is only available in grey with red detailing, as shown here
Latest GP model still has plenty of creature comforts despite its focus on performance. Sat-nav, aircon and heated seats can all be added as part of optional Touring Pack
Back seats have been removed (along with the rear wiper) to reduce the car’s weight. Bright red strut brace across the boot has been fitted to add greater rigidity.