Those in the market for a subcompact hot hatch have
to settle for around 200 horsepower, as that’s how much the usual offering from
Renault, Ford or Volkswagen, like the Clio RS, Fiesta ST and Polo GTI,
respectively, puts out.
In only a few months, though, the bar will be set
higher by 2020 Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) GP. The impressive model will be
the brand’s wildest street-legal car ever, and it’s expected with a 2.0-liter
turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, developing in excess of 300 horsepower.
Set to serve as the swansong of the current
generation, it was already previewed by the JCW GP Concept a couple of years
ago. In terms of visual updates over the regular Hatch/Hardtop, expect some
aerodynamic enhancements like the extended fender flares, different grille,
aggressive diffuser with incorporated central dual exhaust tips and massive
roof-mounted wing.
The interior will get a couple of sports seats at
the front, as seen in previous spy shots, as well as a digital screen instead
of the rev counter. Elsewhere, it will get the usual trim updates and perhaps
the option to remove the rear seat completely.
Production of the JCW GP will be limited to 3,000
units, so if the vehicle is on your radar, then you better hurry up and place a
deposit as soon as Mini unveils it. Speaking of which, the big date is expected
to have been set for this fall, probably at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, in
September. Until then, they will continue to test in different environments,
like the Nurburgring, where it was recently captured on film.
