Autoblog reports a prototype MINI John Cooper Works GP has lapped the Nürburgring 20 seconds faster than the first-gen GP. Their source is Dr Kay Segler (the goose pimple guy) who has since left his role with BMW M Division to take on the role of Senior Vice President at MINI.
Segler says he has personally driven the car and while he was forthcoming with the amount of time the new GP slashed from its Ring record he did not provide an overall lap time. The unofficial list of production car lap times does not have the first-gen MINI JCW GP listed.
Renault currently holds the FWD record at the Nürburgring, with their Megane 265 Trophy getting around in 8:07.97. We don’t think the new MINI JCW GP will be that quick, it will only have around 220-230hp after all, but we reckon it should be around the 8:30 mark.
Given the original JCW GP had 218hp MINI has obviously made some cracking gains with suspension and handling. The GP will also be lighter than a regular Cooper S hatch, like the 2006 model was too. The original was around 40kg lighter, but we reckon the 2012 version will be even lighter again.
All will be revealed at the MINI United event in May when the JCW GP is unveiled.
[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]
6 replies on “MINI JCW GP sets Nürburgring alight”
All the lady boys will love it! ROR!
Any word on availablity in Aus?
I want…
@Dave, no idea about Aus availability, but fingers crossed for all the lady boys like me. 😛
lol. well I guess you and I both know these aren’t Lady-Boy cars!
I will definitely put money down for one if it’s coming!
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