Video: MINI JCW GP an EVO Car of the Year Contender
The MINI JCW GP is a car that we here at MotoringFile hold in rather high esteem. While certainly not for everyone, it’s a package deal of everything the second generation MINI has to offer in terms of a pure driving experience and special JCW touches. It’s a car MINI created not to make money on (because like the 2006 GP, MINI likely lost money on this model), but out of sheer brand enthusiasm.
We’ve reviewed it on the track and on the road and fell in love with it both times.
Turns out we’re not the only ones who feel that way. EVO has included the second generation MINI JCW GP in its list of final contenders for EVO Car of the Year. Watch the two-part video presentation below to see how the GP fairs against heavy hitting super cars from Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Alpha Romeo, Mercedes Benz and Audi. Where the humble GP ranks in this pantheon of halo cars may surprise you.
<p>Congratulations MINI!</p>
<p>Saw this last night. Couldn’t believe it. Congrats to the GP engineers.</p>
<p>I love Mini, and I love this car, but it simply doesn’t belong in this competition. part of the point of these cars is to get the HolyCowLookAtThatCar factor as high as possible, and the GP only gets that from a very small segment of enthusiasts.</p>
<p>I disagree. On face value, of course, it doesn’t belong with cars 10x the price, but there’s a precedent here. Compact FWD cars done right can and do surprise.</p>
<p>The Classic Mini and Monte Carlo?</p>
<p>When the original GTI debuted it was pitted against the 911 (Car and Driver?) and the GTI’s reputation became legendary from that day forward.</p>
<p>Listen to what EVO said about the GP again. EVO’s description of the MINI GP2 was grounded, they put the car in context and it didn’t win. “This car is here on merit”. Boy, is this good for MINI.</p>
<p>Evo thought it deserved to be in the finals. After a week of actual seat time and extensive evaluation, the results speak for themselves. The GP2 is an amazing car to drive.</p>
<p>To me, it sounds like the same argument for not getting a JCW. Is it a great car? Yes. Could you build the same thing for much less? Of course.</p>
<p>In the case of the GP, if you do the math, it’s actually cheaper part-for-part.</p>
<p>Its a major triumph for MINI indeed, and I’m glad to see such praise. For $40k I’m buying a loaded (used) 1 or 3 series. Maybe MINI could have shaved off a few bucks by foregoing the hideous decals.</p>
<p>That said its seems (according to EVO) like a relative bargain considering its more expensive company.</p>
<p>Wevebeen heaping praise on this car since day 1. It is truly the best car MINI has ever made.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the argument here…</p>
<p>It’s like saying, for my 400k, I’m not buying a ranch in texas, I’m buying a 2-story in Arizona!</p>
<p>That’s cool that you’d get something else, but how does it contribute to the conversation about this car? This car is COMPLETELY different than your 1 or 3 series, with a different application, and a different motive for the buyer…</p>
<p>A JCW built out, is not going to be this car, for this price, and not without a lot of work to get it here.</p>
<p>Speaking of not understanding an argument… I don’t get your position. The measurement isn’t in dollars and hp in a test like this but driving enjoyment and experience.</p>
<p>You don’t? I thought the implication was clear that the pricetag cannot be used as a factor in arguing this car’s merits, when comparing it to a car in a completely different segment. It almost sounds like you believe you’re contradicting me when you say “the measurement isn’t in dollars” when my entire post suggests that price cannot be a factor in measurement here….</p>
<p>What did you think my analogy of the houses referred to…?</p>
<p>Really, MINI GP is a great car. But he could be much better, if he was having LSD differential as on early R56S.</p>
<p>I agree with your comment about the LSD. When I pulled into the pit after a track session with my GP2, the front brakes were literally smoking. Those brakes should only have to work when the car is slowing down, not when it is accelerating.</p>
<p>All this is very conditional. But the fact what the MINI took part in this test, with the greatest driver’s cars, must be pleasant. After all, MINI still give the highest driving pleasure.</p>
<p>Wow, I already felt pretty darn good about getting a GP2 ………</p>