Aero Overload: MINI’s JCW GP Concept

In the aftermarket tuning and customization world, we’ve become use to seeing cars’ outward appearances drastically altered – for better or for worse – with bolt-on appendages of the FRP and carbon fiber variety.

It’s not often that a manufacturer gets in on the act though, but the new John Cooper Works GP Concept is proof that MINI, at least, is up for it.

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While the car is indeed slated as a concept machine that will be shown to the public for the first time at next week’s IAA show in Frankfurt, John Cooper Works GP-spec MINIs are a thing; in both 2006 and 2012 the BMW-owned brand offered special JCW GP cars as limited edition models (2,000 units for each). In both looks and driving performance, they were both another step up from the highest performing MINIs in the line-up, but the new John Cooper Works GP Concept takes things to another level when it comes to visual aggression.

Not only is the concept much wider than the current MINI thanks to its unique front and rear fender treatments, its motorsport underpinnings are accentuated by the air-channeling devices applied to the bumpers, and low-slung side skirts. It’s hard to miss the roof spoiler, too.

The use of carbon fiber throughout the JCW GP Concept’s bodywork is no gimmick. With this project MINI set out to optimize the car’s power-weight-ratio, and that’s something also reflected in its lightweight 19-inch wheels. As you can see, braking performance hasn’t been left to chance either.

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The interior space is more akin to the fit-out you’d expect in a next generation MINI JCW Challenge competition car than a road car, but we’re not going to complain about a full roll-cage and low-mounted, fixed-back race seats.

As you may have already noticed, there is no gear stick to speak of; shifts are exclusively made by paddles on the steering wheel, which is also the only hint we get about the powertrain. When it comes to the engine, we’d at least expect to see a slightly tweaked version of the current MINI John Cooper Works’ 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine which outputs 228hp.

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Whether you think MINI has nailed it with the JCW GP Concept or just gone too far, we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s good to see an automaker going to this extreme with a design study for what will likely become a model you can buy off the showroom floor. The thing is though, if MINI built this car as it’s seen here, shy of a new set of wheels how on earth would you go about personalizing it?!

Brad Lord
Instagram: speedhunters_brad
brad@speedhunters.com

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1

Mini's Civic Type-R. I really hope those rear fender things make it into production. Actually, I really hope everything makes it into production.

2

I agree with you. Maybe even take the AWD system from the Clubman and slap it in their. Hopefully with all of that they can keep the cost down to mid 40s to low 50s.

3

if it looks like that it better be fast.

4

Like, Juke R fast.

5

If it goes into a limited production then MINI should offer personalization in the way of offering different color accents.

6

Wheels=awesome
Aero=awesome
Interior=awesome
Paddle shifters=(insert poop emoji)

7

Is the door bar even legal? Or is there a new way of bending tubes to make it look like that?

8

Under the rules of the motor sports governing body here in Australia. I'm pretty confident that nothing on that cage is up to standard other than purhapse the main hoop.

9

Interior looks stunning, pretty certain that the euro build standards and specs of the roll cage will eclipse any " Aussie cams specs "

10

That cage is garbage by any standard, and thats given that we really only have a couple angles to look at.

Here are some glaring points:
-there is no halo or continual a pillar posts, almost all motor-sport cages require a halo that circles the roof from the main hoop to the top of the windshield and back OR continual A posts that come from the bottom of the a pillar to the main hoop with a cross bar linking them at the top of the windshield (and other places)
-the door bars look like 6 pieces welded together
-there is no bar that runs along the bottom of the door opening connecting the main hoop to the A pillar post
-there is no cross bracing on the main hoop
-finally the rear legs and the harness bar that crosses them looks incredibly short and doesnt seem to connect to the suspension mounting points in a mini

11

Cage is pure scrap and the rest is the largest collection of expensive chav sh*t and random colours I've witnessed outside of a McDonalds carpark... damn :/

12

Going by the current 4-cyl output, the mad looks, and the inevitable overpricing that's bound to occur, surely this would need at the very minimum about 275bhp - 300bhp?

Looks great, apart from the dash. The white looks amazing, but hardly a good call for a 'track' car...

13

Pure subcompact sex <33333333

14

very true salute to all automakers that still keeps it fun for all of the enthusiast that doesn't treat a car to use from point a to point b.

15

Looks like the concept they made for GT6

16

Stunning. Really hope the body kit (or aero package) is fully functional instead of looking like extra dead weight for drag to do its thing. Also, if this ran on a sequential gearbox, it would be a a straight bangerrrrrr

17

I'd probably get a new cage. And maybe a cup holder.

18

Looks awesome and I love the colours

19

All that time on aero and they forgot a pedal. Looks great though, haven't really given Mini's beyond their initial conception much appreciation.

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