The 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP is one
of the most fearsome hot hatches to come out of the UK in recent memory, and
one example recently landed in Abu Dhabi. Mini intends on building just 3,000
units of the John Cooper Works GP worldwide and just a few days ago, a Mini
enthusiast in the U.S. was selected as the lucky person who could buy #0001.
Being such a rare beast, you won’t be seeing the new GP on public streets all
that often, particularly if you live in Abu Dhabi, where we imagine just a
handful are heading.
Powering the hot hatch is a 2.0-liter
TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder that produces 301 hp and 450 Nm of
torque. This engine is coupled to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission with an
integrated differential lock that drives the front wheels. MINI quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 5.2 seconds, while top speed is capped at 265
km/h.
Of course, it is not just the engine that
promises to make the GP a very good performer. MINI’s designers went to town on
the car’s exterior, designing a plethora of custom parts that really make it
stand out. Among these parts is a beefed-up front bumper as well as unique
front and rear fender flares. However, the most eye-catching aspect of the
hatch’s styling is the towering rear wing that not only makes the GP look
unlike any other John Cooper Works model before it, but also helps provide some
downforce to add to the car’s on-track prowess.
