The 2020 Mini JCW GP made its dynamic debut at
Goodwood. The subcompact hot hatch was thrown on the course in pre-production
form, demonstrating its agility and revealing a very tamed exhaust sound.
Set to become the company’s most extreme
street-legal car ever, the new JCW GP will throw a heavy punch at the
Volkswagen Polo GTI, Ford Fiesta ST and Renault Clio RS. However, it will do so
with about 100 horsepower more, as the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder
that’s expected to power it is thought to push out over 300 HP.
In terms of performance, it will wipe the floor with
its direct competitors and will probably teach a lesson or two to vehicles from
the class above, like the Volkswagen Golf R, Mercedes-AMG A35 and new BMW
M135i. All three have about the same output on tap, but are bigger and heavier,
which will (in theory) make them ripe targets for the compact, lightweight
Mini.
It won’t be for everyone, though – and not just
because it’s going to be pricey. The car firm decided to put a cap on the
production of the JCW GP. Thus, only 3,000 will be made, so those looking to
secure a build slot should wait for Mini to unveil it, perhaps at the 2019
Frankfurt Motor Show in a couple of months, and place a deposit ASAP.
