John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit First Photos

First off where did you get 9.5lbs at each corner? Frankly that would scare me knowing the condition of my local roads. I can’t imagine any 9.5lbs wheel still being round after a few weeks or Chicago roads. And secondly… the s-lites are closer to 25lbs… but who’s counting :)

Well…it looks like the factory had some extra red mirror caps sitting around. This car is more than a dissapointment. I think it is a late April fools joke.

um, Okay,

about the only thing I like is the numbering.

This looks like a good demolition derby car, what with the safety package and all.

So, when is the light weight, limited production coming out?

I’d say very clever design of the sideskirts and rear wing has eliminated the need for a rear windscreen wiper.

The resulting air swirl patterns and vortex at the rear of the vehicle, with a wing such as that would carry water and dirt away from the screen, not against it, like the standard MINI rear-end.

Well done for trying something different, which as per usual is met with critisism from customers who think something has been left out to save the company some $$$…

In response to a previous comment about the brake ducts, i’d say the GP edition will be kitted out with the brake duct/throat kit, as per JOHN COOPER Challenge S Class racers.

(See, http://www.johncooper.co.uk/JohnCooperSite/category/Motorsport%5FBrakes/ for more info.)

Glen

“I’d say very clever design of the sideskirts and rear wing has eliminated the need for a rear windscreen wiper.”

…and I’d say there’s a lovely bridge for sale in Brooklyn. ;)

Given the hype that arose with speculation about a 300 lb weight decrease & a (possible) 240 HP motor, I can understand the disappointment. Some thoughts centered on the wheels & the aerokit–with a bit of speculation on why only a 10HP gain.

*The aerokit looks interesting, but it needs to be clarified. The chopping up of the wheel arches into blue & black gives the kit a tacked on look. Possible solutions: 1) color key the wheel arches, and 2) color key the rear diffuser moldings as was done on the front air dam?

*218 hp? A 10-hp gain does seem on the small side. I’m betting the gain is at least a little higher base on the up to 2004 SAE standards. Is BMW/MINI looking to the longer term, though? Meaning: is the 10 hp gain meant to keep the GP2 from intruding on the power levels coming from the next gen S?

• 4-spoke rims? They work–if the surrounding body parts flow around the wheel openings. This design doesn’t flow. (See above re: the aerokit looking chopped up). A 5-spoke iteration of this design, with each spoke slightly smaller would be a better alternative.

*IMHO 18′s are meant to fill the wheel opening–adding the vertical bump stop to the back end of the side skirt gives the visual impression of a larger wheel opening, which defeats the purpose of larger rims. Pull the trailing end of the skirt closer to the wheel, in a curve that follows the wheel arch?

& 4 this i waited how long? ne1 want my place on the list in pdx or? i’m taking my $ & getting an elise. nice job bmw/mini, can u say mc40 all over again.

The offical word from MINI USA is that each dealership in the US will be allocated 5 each.

I am not changing the specs on my order come the first of the year. This build is for the buyer who wants more tickets and less riders. Why don’t they wait for the 2 seater that is in the wind? Special builds that stand thet test of time are few and far between. Personally I will wait a few more months until I finally order to replace my ’03. But on the postive note it is good to see MINI isn’t standing still!!!

Here are more pics:

http://media.mysan.de/index.php?action=showgal&cat=312&page=1

Imagining the deletion of the wing on the rear view pictures, the ricer stigma melts away and it actually looks cool. However, 88lbs still isn’t enough savings to give up “removal of the rear seats and the air conditioning system, elimination of sound-deadening material, and replacement of the rear axle control arms with aluminum units”

When I 1st dreamed of this car, I imagined it being taken apart and major body panels (if not pieces) being recast in aluminum and carbon. That would be worth any fuss.

I don’t really think the car looks bad but my dissappointment stems for the fact that MINI simply missed the mark of what the LTW hopefulls were looking for: A lighter MCS.

Doesn’t really need to be more powerful or look all that different from a stock car. Just be lighter. A LOT lighter. And many autocrossers and track-fiends would be willing to pay a premium for that.

However, that being said, there are likely some underlying reasons for the car being what it is. A completely re-worked MCS would likely need to be re-federalized here in the US which would increase costs (and lead-time) substancially. From what I can see, this car does not represent a big enough change to require that.

So… what we’ve got here… is basically an MC-40 of a different color. An option package that maximizes profits for MINI.

The officeal word as of 5 minutes ago. The US will NOT get the Recaro seats. grr

I think it’s a great look overall. The fact is, the original styling is so solid a design that departures from it offend everyone a little. But. . . I like this departure!

Personal preference.