2021 Mini Review: GP John Cooper Works
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2021 Mini Review: GP John Cooper Works

Mini only builds 3000 of the JCW GP for world consumption and only 67 of them are in the Nether, but if you want to buy one, unfortunately we have some bad news for you… spoke for.

In fact, the JCW GP is so exclusive that you won't even find a mention of it on the Mini Australia website.

And what exactly makes the JCW GP so special? Well, the GP badge has adorned every generation of Mini hatchbacks during the era of BMW ownership and signifies the brand's pinnacle of performance.

This new JCW GP is easily differentiated from the standard JCW thanks to a bespoke body kit with flared fenders and a massive fender, but that's not all, as the 2.0-liter engine also has increased power.

Just looking at the JCW GP, you have to wonder who Mini built this car for.

On the one hand, a heavy-duty engine, no rear seats, and a rough ride mean it'll be a great track-day toy, but the inclusion of sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay, and air-conditioning means it can also serve as a dizzying daily duty.

So did Mini make the latest JCW GP for social media influencers, or is this hot hatch really made for the driver?

Mini 3D Hatch 2021: A John Cooper Works Classic
Safety Rating
engine's type2.0 L turbo
fuel typePremium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency6.9l / 100km
Landing4 Places
Price from$48,500

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10


At $63,900 before travel expenses, the Mini JCW GP is the most expensive option "available" in the three-door hatchback lineup.

We only say "in stock" because you can't go to a dealership to buy one, as only 67 were destined for Australia and they were all snapped up by enthusiastic fans.

However, customers will be able to get their hands on the standard Mini JCW three-door hatchback starting at $57,900, although there are a few key differences.

The JCW GP is available in one color - Racing Gray Metallic.

First, the JCW GP is ditching the rear seats in favor of a brace and more trunk space, and engine power has also been bumped up to 225kW/450Nm from 170kW/320Nm (more on that below).

The JCW GP also adds an eye-catching body kit, including fender flares and a flashy rear wing that would make even a Subaru WRX STI blush.

The rear wing adds downforce and emphasizes the sporty character.

Stepping into the cabin, buyers will notice the familiar 8.8-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay wireless connectivity, 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster display, wireless smartphone charger and sports seats, but the JCW GP also has a set of paddle shifters and dashboard printed on 3D printer. insert.

However, being a hardcore special edition variant means that most of the money spent on the car will go towards improving its handling on the track, which is absolutely true for the JCW GP.

These include a mechanical limited-slip differential on the front axle, a new exhaust system, bigger brakes, unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in sticky rubber, and a custom-made suspension lowered by 10mm.

The JCW GP is equipped with unique 18-inch alloy wheels.

Scroll through the spec sheet and you'll notice some of the omissions you'd expect from a car priced around $64,000, like top grab bars, a head-up display, and a rear-view camera, but the JCW GP doesn't really look like many other cars. designed for the widest possible audience.

Mini has made the JCW GP an ultra-rare collectible track toy, so some of the spec omissions are understandable, but we wish at least a few things (like the rearview camera) were still included.

However, as a track-focused model, the Mini JCW GP could be compared to a Porsche 911 GT3 RS or a Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro, only it's really available to the masses...if they were still available.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 10/10


Personally, there's no doubt that the Mini JCW GP is an attractive model thanks to the wild body kit attached to a petite - and dare we say cute - three-door hatchback.

If the fender flares aren't enough to turn your head, the exposed carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic trim is sure to give you a double impression.

Mini says the extra girth is functional, "cleanly venting air away from the sides of the car," but upon closer inspection, they're more for show than for use.

In the flesh, this Mini is an absolutely wild sight.

However, they do add a bit more room for the fatter 18-inch wheels, and when combined with a huge rear wing (which really increases downforce), the JCW GP looks like someone has taken Ant-Man's resizing technology and made it bigger. hot. The car's wheels are full size - and we're completely digging it.

The only exterior color available is "Racing Gray Metallic", which is paired with "Chilli Red" contrasting accents on the front bumper air intake, sides and rear fender to further enhance the sporty flair, while a Piano Black paint finish is applied to the hood. bucket, badges, grille, door handles, and front and rear light surrounds.

The JCW GP looks like a full size Hot Wheels car.

Top-notch, track-focused specials like the JCW GP are supposed to look as aggressive and aggressive as possible, and in the flesh this Mini is an absolutely wild spectacle.

We also appreciate that some of the Mini's quirks were carried over to the JCW GP, such as Union Jack split-flag taillights and a clamshell hood.

Inside, the JCW GP looks almost identical to the JCW's donor car, but keen-eyed drivers should notice the GP logo paddle shifters and the unique 12D-printed 3-hour marker on the steering wheel.

Inside is an 8.8-inch multimedia touchscreen and a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster display.

Part of the dashboard has also been 3D printed, but the most noticeable change to the interior may be a set of sport bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara and leather.

As mentioned above, the rear seats have been stowed away in an attempt to save weight, making room for a 'Chilli Red' painted cross brace, the color to match the seat belts and interior stitching.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10


With a length of 3879mm, a width of 1762mm, a height of 1420mm and a wheelbase of 2495mm, the Mini JCW GP certainly lives up to its namesake size.

While the standard three-door Mini hatchback seats four, the second row is cramped, cramped and really only fits very small people or your backpack/purse to make room for the front passenger.

The second row also means that the trunk has a meager 211 liters, which is really only enough for a few overnight bags or some groceries.

However, in the JCW GP, the rear seats are completely stowed, which means that the trunk space increases to a mammoth 612L, making it more spacious than the Toyota RAV4!

With the second row of seats removed, the trunk volume is 612 liters.

So, depending on how you look at it, Mini's move to remove the rear seats in the JCW GP could make it the most practical three-door hatchback in the brand's stable?

Okay, you'll never take a JCW GP on a trip to Ikea with a rear brace eating up usable space and your groceries will just have more room to move around without a dedicated partition between the trunk and the cab, but there's no denying the extra volume provided by eliminating the rear seats. .

In the front seats, the JCW GP's practicality mirrors its less hardcore hatchback counterparts, offering a large door pocket that will fit a large water bottle, a small central storage compartment, a decent glove box, and two cup holders next to the shifter.

The sports bucket seats are trimmed in Alcantara and leather.

Hidden under the armrest is a wireless smartphone charging pad designed to hold your phone tightly, which is valuable for keeping your device from rattling and out of sight.

There's certainly enough room in the cabin to empty your pockets during your trip, although you might not want to swim much if you're planning an energetic trip.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 10/10


The Mini JCW GP is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 225kW at 6250rpm and 450Nm at 1750-4500rpm.

Drive is transmitted to the front axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 265 km/h.

Compared to other light hatchbacks, the JCW GP is by far the most powerful in Australia, eclipsing even the likes of the 200kW/370Nm Toyota GR Yaris, the 147kW/290Nm Ford Fiesta ST and the 147kW Volkswagen Polo GTI. /320 Nm.

Keep in mind, however, that the Mini JCW GP is a lot more expensive than all of the aforementioned competitors, even when you factor in the GR Yaris' full retail price of $49,500.

The 2.0-litre turbo engine delivers 225 kW/450 N.

Some might argue that the JCW GP isn't a car for real drivers because it no longer offers a manual transmission, but the eight-speed "automatic" is so smooth and shifts quickly (and manual mode is available via paddles or a slight click). shift lever), you won't miss three pedals.

Sure, it's a little slow downshifting, but there's already a lot to contend with when cruising at speed, so adding a makeshift shifter might be enough to get more than a few people out of a dead end.

The same engine and tuning is available in the JCW Clubman and Countryman variants, although they come with all-wheel drive, which makes it a little less special.




How much fuel does it consume? 8/10


According to official fuel consumption figures, the JCW GP consumes 7.5 liters of gasoline per 100 km, although we averaged 10.1 l / 100 km with the car in the morning.

This trip was a mix of freeway and country roads with no urban conditions that are not representative of actual driving conditions.

Even with our higher-than-expected fuel consumption figure, 10.1L/100km is pretty low for a performance car, likely due to the JCW GP's low curb weight of 1255kg.

The JCW GP is only rated for 98 octane gasoline, which makes it a bit more expensive to fill up at a gas station.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 5/10


The Mini JCW GP does not have an official safety rating from ANCAP or Euro NCAP.

The Mini three-door hatchback on which it is based received four stars from ANCAP, but the JCW GP is so different that the results are incomparable.

The JCW GP is still equipped with six airbags, cruise control and tire pressure monitoring but loses front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, low-speed autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring that are on your JCW donor car.

While the JCW GP is designed to run on the track, making some of that active safety technology more of a hindrance than a help, it can still be road registered and lacks many of the features you'd expect from any new car in 2020. regardless of the price. .

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10


Like all new Mini models, the JCW GP has a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance during the same period.

The JCW GP does not have scheduled service intervals, instead an onboard maintenance system monitors the condition of the vehicle to notify owners when work is needed. 

The system monitors engine oil and brake fluid levels, as well as the condition of the brake pads, and a full vehicle check is also scheduled based on how often it is used.

What is it like to drive? 10/10


If you, like us, think the standard Mini JCW hatchback is too bland around the edges, you'll be happy to know that the changes made to the JCW GP have turned the car into what it probably should have been from the start.

Starting with the suspension setup, the JCW GP is 10mm lower than the stock JCW, while the dampers and most of the other components have been beefed up to improve handling. 

The result is a much firmer ride, especially noticeable on some of Melbourne's less-than-ideal roads, as well as surprisingly communicative driving dynamics.

That feeling of precision and control is also aided by the presence of a mechanical limited-slip differential, as well as wider, glued-on 225/35 tires to keep the JCW GP's nose pointed where you want to go.

Considering the front wheels have to contend with 225kW/450Nm of power and steering, one would expect ample torque from the JCW GP, and you would be right.

A flat position due to the light will result in jittery steering but it's never something overwhelming and hit the throttle too early on corner exit and your arms will definitely get a workout to hold onto the JCW GP. on the line.

A mechanical front LSD, upgraded tires, and a wider track and revised camber are meant to alleviate some of these issues, but the JCW GP's front-wheel-drive nature means the old "slow in, fast out" adage still applies here. .

Larger brakes with 360mm ventilated discs up front are also fitted so you can adequately decelerate before turning the wheel for the fastest cornering.

The engine/transmission combo is also a pleasure in such a small package, and with the torque available at such a low rev range, you always feel like there's enough boogie to propel the 1255kg JCW GP in any situation.

While the standard JCW caters to multiple driving modes with efficiency and sportiness at both ends, the JCW GP only has two - Normal and GP, also known as "send it" or "full send".

In GP mode, the electronic assistants are muted to give the chassis a little more playfulness, but the Dynamic Stability Control (DCS) can be turned off entirely for track use.

I wish we had the opportunity to try the JCW GP on the track to really unleash its potential, but as it stands, Mini's latest flagship is an instantly attractive and charismatic hot hatch.

Verdict

Since all JCW GPs were already sold out before prices were announced, we suspect that all 67 local examples have ended up in the hands of collectors, which is a huge shame.

The JCW GP is begging to be driven and driven hard rather than locked in storage with a dust sheet on top.

If you're one of the 67 people who have the keys to the JCW GP, we beg you, take it on a track day, take it for a spirited ride, heck, just introduce it to a few corners, because we bet - as for us, it will be love at first ride.

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