In talking with the engineers and designers of the JCW GP at last weeks launch, something came up that surprised us.

While we’re likely a full seven years away from seeing a new GP, it’s already clear at MINI that they will likely not be able to produce a car like the GP again. The demands for electrification will likely mean most if not all MINIs will have some sort of hybrid assistance – especially those at the high performance end of the spectrum. For instance rumors point to the current 301 hp B48 engine being replaced by a 340 hp hybridized version in the coming years. While the added power and torque will surges produce quicker acceleration, the added weight will change the equation for a car like the GP.

Jcw GP

Further MINIs brand emphasis will quickly be moving towards full electrification making that special projects like the GP not as financially viable. As much as it’s a brand halo, we could see a time when the performance end of the spectrum for MINI is dominated by electric models.

JCW GP 3

What it means is that the car you see above may be even more special than we first thought.

We’re on the precipice of a seismic shift in the marketplace as the industry moves to electrification. It’s not happening overnight. But in an industry of 7 year (or more) product cycles, it’s easy to see how something like the GP could quickly get caught out from MINI’s future product plans. Or at the very least be designed substantially differently from the current car.