MINI to launch GP sub-brand

So, you already know that MINI is making another JCW GP hatchback. But the latest word says there’s a total of four GP branded models on the way from MINI.

Part of the allure of the original GP was its exclusivity. It wasn’t offered for sale in Australia for starters, but there were only 444 of the R53 version made.

While MINI has shown a tendency to milk their generally good ideas for everything they’re worth, the good news here is the extended GP range will still consist of limited production run models.

We hope that’s genuine, too, and not limited to the number of GPs they can sell. Weight reduction measures, such as the removal of rear seats for the hatch, for example, should mean that the GP sub-brand is reasonably safe from exploitation.

Other GP-specific items expected for the R56 hatch include a more extroverted rear wing as well as an aggressive rear diffuser.

Expected to join the R56 GP are an R58 Coupé, to be followed by an R60 Countryman and R61 Countryman Coupé. The timeline for these rollouts is yet to be confirmed, but the R56 should be coming our way at next month’s at MINI United event.

Stay tuned!

[Source: MotoringFile]