- 11/21/2019
- 2 Min Read
- By: Evan Madore
2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP - Extravagant And Automatic
A day ahead of the official debut at the LA Auto Show, MINI pulled the veil off of their fastest model ever—the 2020 John Cooper Works GP.
Since earlier this summer, the 2020 MINI JCW GP has been out testing in the wild (including timed laps around The Ring) sporting some unique track-themed camouflage. MINI claims that time is sub-8 minutes; however, official lap times have yet to be reported. The now-released specs should back those claims up, slotting it somewhere behind cars in its same class, such as the Civic Type R, Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy-R, and the Golf GTI Clubsport S. Now that it has been revealed, it's just as wild as everyone expected.
2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP Performance & Specs
The 2020 MINI JCW GP is the most powerful street-legal car MINI has ever produced, and its specs back it up. It's capable of going from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and tops out at an unrestricted 165mph.
- Engine:
- Modified 2.0L 4-cylinder BMW B48
- Reinforced crankshaft, enlarged main bearing diameter, specific pistons, bushless connecting rods, and a new torsional vibration damper.
- MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology
- Dual VANOS
- High-capacity oil sump
- Transmission:
- 8-speed Steptronic
- Torsen limited-slip differential
- Chassis:
- Track width increase over standard JCW (the reason for the overfenders)
- Suspension lowered by 10mm
- Added strut bracing
- Dynamic Stability Control with special GP mode
- Rear seats removed
- Brakes:
- JCW Sport Brakes
- 360mmx30mm ventilated front discs
- Wheels/Tires:
- 18" forged lightweight wheels wrapped in 225/35 Hankook tires
- Body:
- GP front and rear bumpers
- Large double-wing spoiler
- Carbon impregnated plastic wheel arch covers/flares
The 2020 MINI JCW JP gets BMW's 2-liter B48 found in numerous cars across their product line, including the 2-series. Over the standard MINI Cooper JCW, this modified B48 creates an additional 75 hp, putting out 301 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. All of this power is sent through an 8-speed Steptronic transmission with a limited-slip differential.
Compared to previous generation MINI JCW GPs, the 2020 GP features massive fender flares/over fenders. All of the aero additions to this upcoming model are said to be functional.
MINI Cooper JCWs have always been known for their unique rear wings that are both functional and stylish. This 2020 MINI JCW GP-specific dual-layer rear wing continues the trend, creating enough downforce in the rear to balance out what's produced by the front splitter.
The 18" forged wheels unique to the GP are wrapped in Hankook extreme-performance 225/35 tires and surround the same brakes from the standard MINI Cooper JCW model.
MINI makes use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) for their quite large and in-your-face fender flares. The track width of the 2020 GP is 10mm wider than the stock JCW, so flares are a necessary addition. Unlike your standard flare, these sit up off the main bodywork and are designed to improve aerodynamics and work as additional brake cooling.
The interior is just as track-ready as the exterior. Inside, you find a driver-focused cockpit with deep bucket seats to hold you firmly in place. You will note the lack of manual shifter in the center console.
Behind the driver and passenger seats, you'll first notice the giant red rear strut brace. This is there to add additional rigidity to the chassis. On top of this, the rear seats are completely removed and replaced by a solid panel on the floor.
As with both generations of the MINI GP before it, this generation will be a limited-edition run. Only 3,000 units will be shipped worldwide, with an unknown amount reaching the United States with an MSRP of $44,900. Delivery should begin in Q2 2020, and I would imagine that these will be spoken for pretty quickly. If you look at the current market, previous generation GPs have turned into quite attractive collector cars.
