The John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit

Sections: JCW | MF Feature Oct 23rd, 2005 60 Comments

[Updated with interior Sketch] Here are a couple of sketches that appeared on the BMW/MINI press site this weekend. While there is no description or press release yet associated with them, they were captioned “MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit.”

So that of course begs the question; is this (A) the highly anticipated “MCS Lightweight” (B) simply a new dealer installed JCW kit or (C) meant only for JCW Motorsports? Our guess would be “A” for several reasons. First off the timing would be ideal since the MCS lightweight will be released officially at MINI United later this week. Secondly there is a noticeable lack of rear seats in the interior sketch – a feature we’ve heard mentioned with the rumored “lightweight”. And finally this is quite a radical looking MCS, exactly how we’ve heard the “lightweight” described.

We should know the official answer soon enough…

[ This new interior sketch, like the other two, popped up this weekend on the BMW press site. Unlike the other two however, it was captioned with the words "Tokyo Concept". Despite it almost certainly is related to the other two drawings above as it's both of the current R53 MINI and has all the tell-tale signs of the rumored lightweight. ]

Written By: Gabe

fdavid

If they make a spoiler kit similar to this one. I would line up for buying one of them. I still have the original body because I am not fully convinced by any of the options including the aero kit because the rear bumper looks quite odd. Instead, this option would be quite a beauty. About the wheels, this is a sketch and as a sketch it should remain. I bet if they made a similar wheel it would look awful. Some things should stay as a concept becuse they tend generate discussion and develop fresh ideas.
Chris

What, no Recaro seats? I REALLY hope they offer the JCW seats in the US market, or I’m gonna be pissed!

Also, if memory serves, this is suppose to have 225hp?

If they can manage to get the weight down near 2200lbs, then this should be a WHOOOOLE different beast than the current MCS.

Yes please!

Rm2k5
http://www.nemini.org GMINI

The Light Weight, we will find all too soon, will look exactly like these sketches but with it’s headlights flat on the hood ,just in front of the windshield.
http://www.2beesoft.com/familie/berthil/mini/default.asp?lan=en Berthil

For the record, I posted this already yesterday on mini2.comThe first two were with the correct title (so not concept) on the German Press section of BMW, the interior drawing popped up later.
tanya

Duly noted in the record, Berthil.
Revhed

I find it hard to believe that they would put so much effort into producing such a focused, lightweight machine and NOT put decent sports seats in it…
http://www.nemini.org GMINI

airbags. intonation of possible U.S. destination…
sca

Can the “GP 0782″ clearly visible on the 1st photo possibly refer to the 782nd car produced of a limited production run vehicle? This fits with the idea of a limited run lightweight….
Bryn

The fastest off-the-shelf Cooper S ever is on the way… Hoorah!
Bryn

Crunch crunch crunch – (just seen the first pics of the real thing and..) crunch crunch. That’s the sound of me eating my words.

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