Mini JCW GP2 review (26/06/2013)
And so it was recently with the latest machine from Mini — the John Cooper Works GP2 — of which only 2,000 will be made and which is the fastest (thus far) car the company has manufactured. Despite any of the other benefits of being a motoring hack, being allowed to drive cars such as this really makes this job worthwhile.
We’ve been down this road before with Mini, what with the Cooper S being the company’s first foray into to performance world, followed by the first JCW version and now the arrival of this JCW GP2 version which has yet again upped the ante in the performance stakes and will itself become a valued and expensive icon.
Indeed, at 47K or thereabouts, it is already an expensive machine, but such is the breadth of its capabilities, you have to put the cost factor out of your mind. That said, the GP2 is certainly not a car you’d be allowing your teenage children pimp around in and, equally, such are its collective abilities, you will not even allow yourself explore them on the open road — if you value your licence anyway.
In more than one respect this is essentially a track car — much of its technology has been adapted from racing experience — and the track, frankly, is the only place you will be able to fully exploit its many astonishing qualities. Basically it is the same 1.6 litre unit with which we’re familiar, but with some serious fine tuning, cutting edge engineering and extensive technology transfers from the world of motor sport. Among the highlights are the aluminium cylinder block and bearing mounts, reinforced pistons, sturdier cylinder head, low-weight crankshafts and sodium-filled exhaust valves. Twin-scroll turbo charging produces high boost pressure, and direct petrol injection ensures precisely controlled fuel supply, while fully variable valve control helps to maximise engine responsiveness and efficiency.
Moving on to the suspension, we find this area too relies heavily on motor sport influences. It features an individually adjustable coil-over suspension, which allows ride height to be lowered by up to 20 millimetres. The front shock absorbers are mounted upside down in the tube, with the piston rod pointing down, in order to increase longitudinal and lateral stiffness. The front camber has been increased compared with the regular JCW so that the performance potential of the Kumho 215/40 R17 sports tyres can be extracted. It is worth noting too that Mini has ditched the older run flat tyres fitted to previous hot versions of this car in favour of the Kumhos. These are bespoke gems.
Optionally, standard-size 205/45 R17 tyres are available on the same wheels and if your intent on driving it on the road, I’d recommend them, particularly as they offer decent wet weather grip.
Other features include reduced front wheel toe-in and increased rear camber, which alters the forward weight transfer so as to give more speed and more neutral steering when driving close to the limit. At the same time, the reduced toe-in improves agility and cornering confidence.
On the brake front, the race derived system features six-piston fixed-calliper disc brakes, vented at the front.
The net effect of all this is astonishing — shattering even. Although the claimed figures (see panel) might seem a little on the underwhelming side (0-100 kph is 6.3 seconds), once you experience the potential this thing has in real life, you will have little quibble about what the GP2 can do.
From a standing start it is very impressive, but it is the mid-range grunt that really gets your attention. Stand on the gas in any of the gears from second through fifth and the reaction of the GP2 is mind-blowing. Wound up by the supercharger/turbocharger layout, response is instantaneous. This thing feels like a racer and, truly, that’s really what it is. Steering reaction too is as quick as you’ll get on any race car and the manner in which this thing engages the road is quite inspiring. For a front wheel drive car it should not perform the way it does, particularly as there is little or no understeer; that, and the manner which the car never gives the slightest indication of losing traction, does install a level of bravery upon the driver which is little short of foolhardy.
This is an awe-inspiring little car and one which punches well above its weight. Considering its’ main opponents are all bigger — Focus RS et al — the GP2 nevertheless provides you with a feeling of empowerment which in my experience has rarely been matched.
