Mini has released fresh images of its upcoming John Cooper Works GP testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, while also confirming how many units will be built.
The hottest of Mini’s hot hatches (which the BMW-backed brand describes as an “extreme sports car”) will hit initial markets in 2020, with 3 000 units set to be produced globally. For the record, both the original 2006 Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP kit and the 2012 John Cooper Works GP were produced in limited 2 000-unit runs.
Mini promises the JCW GP will boast a model-specific suspension arrangement, “weight-optimised” construction and “precisely defined” aerodynamic properties. A glance at the accompanying images shows the newcomer will feature large air intakes, big alloys and a hefty rear wing.
Of course, we already know the new model will use the BMW Group’s latest turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, offering more than 220 kW (likely similar to the 225 kW/450 N.m outputs of the BMW X2 M35i and new M135i).
That’s enough, says Mini, for the new model to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than eight minutes (compared with the preceding model’s time of 8:23 minutes.
