First ride: 2020 Mini JCW GP

The acceleration is fast but the engine remains just a tad characterless and nothing like the first GP’s manic little supercharged 1.6-litre unit. With such a flat torque curve, speed builds in a predictably linear fashion, and there isn’t a rush toward the rev limit from the 302bhp motor. Mini says the GP takes 5.2 seconds to get from 0-62mph, and can continue all the way to its top speed of 164mph (no limiter here, thank you very much).

The most noticeable characteristic is the rigid structure. With a front strut brace, the brace in the back of the cabin and strengthening beneath the back of the car, it responds immediately to changes of direction and exhibits a high level of mechanical grip, at least on the semi-slick TD tyres. The return to a mechanical limited-slip differential should help get the driver more involved, but anyone that buys one can no longer get involved in setting up the suspension; the passive springs and damper set-up aren’t adjustable like they were on the last GP.

Will the brakes be up to it? They’re borrowed from the Clubman and Cooper JCW, and those weren’t entirely confidence inspiring on test cars we drove at the BMW and Mini West Coast Performance Centre, at Thermal Raceway, so how well the system will handle the lighter, faster GP remains to be seen.

Talking of weight, the GP is only 10 kilos lighter than a JCW hatch, compared with almost 50kg of savings on the first GP. That’s because of the bracing, larger brakes and changes to the cooling systems, as well as the eight-speed automatic gearbox. 

It’s not the fastest-shifting transmission. Petra Beck, product leader for the GP defends the use of the automatic unit over a manual gearbox, pointing to the car’s lap time at places like the Nurburging. But surely the point of the GP is how involved it makes the driver feel, rather than what split seconds it’s able to shave from a leaderboard?

A total of 3000 GPs will be built at Mini’s Oxford factory, with 575 for the UK market, and around half of those are accounted for already. During the event, talk amongst BMW executives is of how difficult it is to get low-volume cars like this one through emissions approval. Whether that means this GP might be the end of the road for the most feisty Mini of all is probably something few car enthusiasts won’t want to spend too much time mulling over. 

Mini JCW GP specification

Where Thermal Raceway, California Price £33,895 On sale Now Engine 1998cc turbocharged four-cylinder petrol Power 302bhp at 5000-6250rpm  Torque 332lb ft at 1750-4500rpm Gearbox eight-speed automatic Kerb weight 1255kg Top speed 164mph 0-62mph 5.2sec Economy TBA CO2 TBA Rivals xxxx 

James Mills

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