Mini JCW GP fastest ever built

Unveiled on the weekend at the Mini United festival in France, the Mini JCW GP will go on sale later this year in a limited run of 2000 cars.

Mini says the JCW GP has logged an 8 minute 23 second lap around the Nürburgring, beating the previous Mini time-topper --  the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP kit – by 19 seconds. So what made the difference between the two little cars? For a start, Mini says the new John Cooper Works GP has an “exclusive powertrain” but hasn’t yet revealed any performance figures.

However, they’ve promised more power than the previous record holder’s 156kW (from a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine) in the JCW GP’s reportedly high-revving twin-scroll turbo unit, which will also deliver “outstanding torque”, according to the press statement.

Mini also says the car will have specially developed adjustable race suspension system, aerodynamic aid from large aprons nose and tail, side skirts, unique roof spoiler and rear diffuser – and of course race-spec anchors and custom track tyres. If you’re one of the lucky 2000 to nab one, forget about taking a bunch of mates for a spin – the rear seat has been ditched to save weight. Give Carsguide a call, though.

BMW Australia has already put their hand up to get 20 of the Mini JCW GP -- double what they would normally have asked for given the small production run.

"We're not an especially big market and would normally expect to get about 10, but with the performance-loving focus of Australia we've asked for 20," spokesman Scott Croaker says. "We're watiing for comfirmation. If we do get them, it's a car we won't see until the start of next year, but we've been getting quite a bit of interest already."

Croaker acknowledges the car will sit atop the Mini range, but says price can't be determined until the details are nailed down. "It's difficult to answer on price until we work our the specification," he sayd. "There are the GP features, but we need to determine the specification of other standard features.

"The price will be set once we have confirmed allocation, and we will fight for our request of 20 cars -- but I'm sure other markets are going to be doing the same."