Car and Driver Review the GP

Sections: In the Press | JCW Oct 25th, 2006 16 Comments

A Short Take Road Test of our favorite red-mirrored MINI.

The Mini GPÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬”letÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s call it that, itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s much less of a mouthfulÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬”is the highest-performing Mini for sale, with a revised Eaton blower, a less restrictive intercooler, recalibrated engine management, high-volume injector nozzles, and a freer-flowing exhaust system. The various mods bump power output to 215 horsepower at 7100 rpm and help propel the Mini to a 145-mph top-speed.

Throttle response and sheer thrust certainly feels healthy, with a determined burst of acceleration available from the moment the supercharger whine cuts in to the point when the carÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s red tach needle meets the 7000-rpm redline on the steering-column-mounted gauge.

[ 2006 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works GP Kit ] Car and Driver

Written By: DB

Matt

I can’t help but think they could have done a little more with this car. Maybe its just me.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

If their target was $35k – 40k, I would agree. But considering the current price I think they hit the mark rather well.
GZ

A pair of chrome mirror covers would do wonders.
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

A nice positive review. Great to see a real number for its acceleration. C&D rated the 03 JCW 6.4/14.7. They never rated one with the updated kit. Glad to see the GP break the 5-second barrier. But I still wonder what the updated kit can do? Probably not far from the GP.
http://www.gbmini.net Ian C.

Josh – you mean the 6-second barrier? ;)

I feel sure that when the R56 JCW upgrade is finally made available, it’ll be a good match for the GP – maybe even beat it.

But meanwhile, GP owners drive their car now – and they get the unique looks too :)
GZ

Josh. I never know what to believe on these stats. According to one publication a standard S did 0-60 in 6.2 so who knows about 05′ JCW. Mine was easily as fast as my 03′ 3.0 BMW Z-4 sport which was supposedly 0-60 in 5.7

I’m hoping that the 07′JCW breaks 5.5 with the guesses I’ve read pertaining to it’s potential output. Can’t wait to see/drive!
Ric Stofer

“(a rear strut-tower brace now occupies that space)” I guess I’ll have to send mine back, it didn’t come with that.;-)
tony T

Sorry, i dont believe that 0-60 time. Wouldnt be less than 6.3 or 6.4.
FrankInMiami

A back seat would have made this car an extremely tempting proposition.
Nathaniel Salzman

All the accounts of the GP really make me want to do the JCW engine conversion, brakes, and suspension on my MCS over the next few years. It won’t have the weight savings or the better aerodynamics, but I’ve got a serious JCW itch now. My bone-stock car already feels like I completely own the road, so I can only imagine how addicting the JCW must be.

Gabe / DB, any word on the future availability of the current JCW engine kit?
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

Ian, I was referring to the updated JCW 210 kit, not whatever may come out for the 07 minis.

Magazines do report accurate 0-60 times, however they may spend all day launching the car and only get that best time once. Still it is much more accurate than the manufacturer’s claims which vary, for example mini’s own are too conservative.

Another thing to keep in mind is they are all performed on stock tires. Many of us have upgraded to stickier rubber so the times are even more achievable.
tony T

I failed to break 6.2 with a Mini that had more power than the GP….
http://www.rocketcitymini.com SBrcm

The listed weight at 2609lbs. Is that a manufacturer stated weight or an actual, they checked it, weight? I recall all the talk earlier about the weight. But has anyone actually taken the GP and put it on a scale? Gabe, the next time you talk to Todd, see if someone put theirs on a scale during MTTS.

I’d like to know the actual weight of the car, minus the driver and with fuel load listed. The reason I say is because my previous MCS weighed in at 2590lbs minus driver with a 5/8 tank of gas.

It’s still a cool car but I’m wondering what the actual weight savings is over a standard, no options MCS. Not one similiarly equipped or what they based their weight savings on.
Mark Smith

BMW is always conservative about performance figures. Look at every vehicle they’ve launched in the last five years versus the press reviews. The press drives better than the manufacturer LOL!
UBeenMiniD

Picking mine up tomorrow and driving it back cross country. Looking forward to it.
GZ

Saw one in person today. Much cooler in person. Still needs chrome mirrors/interior chrome. Then would be VERY cool.

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