John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit Specs

We’ll have the full press release and official photos soon… but to tide you over here are the preliminary numbers that have been released by MINI Press:

• 218 BHP (around 215 HP)
• 88lbs weight reduction (for a total of just under 2600 LBS).

While neither is quite as high as some had hoped for, these figures could still represent the fastast MINI ever to be officially released. We’ll have more info soon.

Update: MotoringFile has learned that we should expect an official MINI USA annoucement about the Works GP availability in the US next week. We’ve also learned that the Works GP will come equipped with only select options and will not be custom configurable.

Across the pond UK dealers have apparently just recieved their first official info on the car via the UK dealer network. The following info, while not confirmed, seems to be legit. It also matches up well with some info we just heard this morning (via psylon at MINI2):

We are pleased to confirm production of the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit as a limited edition within the MINI range. This limited edition MINI will feature a number of exclusive features, which will be unavailable to the rest of the range. With approximately 218hp/160Kw it will be more powerful than the standard MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works and weigh approximately 40 kilos less.
Production will be strictly limited to 2,000 cars worldwide with the UK securing 444 cars. All cars will be non-spec changeable and no additional options will be offered.
Model Code;
RE92 – MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit Exclusive Features

• Anthracite-Blue Metallic Paint (To be named)
• Contrast Roof, Bonnet Scoop and Front Apron in Pure Silver
• Contrast Mirror Caps in Chili Red
• Individually numbered (There will be no customer choice of number, all numbers will be allocated centrally for all worldwide markets)
• No rear seats
• Unique 18″ Light Alloy Wheels

You can read more below:

[ Official GP Works MINI News ] MINI2 Forums

And if you just don’t trust anything until it says “MINI Press”, just hold on for a few more hours!

[Update 2]

This bit of info is burried in MINI’s official MINI United Press release that was just released:

Guests of MINI United will be experiencing a very special surprise in the ‘Sneak Preview Box’ the world debut of the exclusive MINI Cooper S featuring the John Cooper Works GP Kit: This 160 kW (218 hp) MINI reduced in weight by approximately 40 kilos or 88 lb has been developed especially for the most sporting and ambitious driver, presenting the atmosphere of MINI CHALLENGE on the road.