MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS GP BREAKS LOOSE!

MINI South Africa has announced that the sportiest production MINI ever is on its way, and will be in Mzansi by March 2013. The MINI John Cooper Works GP will be limited to only 2000 units worldwide, so we think Mzansi might only get an allocation of around 30 or so. The lucky 30 will no doubt be quite pleased with the package.

The same 1.6-litre turbo engine powering all other MINIs is fitted here. It should pull out around 170kW of power, sent to the front wheels. Although a torque figure was not mentioned, we expect anything between 280Nm and 300Nm to come out.

Don’t be disappointed by the narrow power gap between itself and the normal JCW though. MINI GP is made for the track and has apparently beaten the 2006 GP version by about 19 seconds around the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit. That’s like a lifetime in motor racing!

A number of visually striking differentiators are part and parcel of the kit, including large front aprons, side skirts, a bespoke roof spoiler, a new rear diffuser and a rear apron. Notably MINI has removed the car’s rear seats altogether, making us wonder if there will be a MINI Coupe Works GP at all then…