2006 Mini Cooper S JCW GP (56k Warning)

[GT4freak32492]

Source: BMW Group

The exclusive MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit serves as a real treat for the particularly sports-minded MINI fan. The special edition featuring a boost in power output to around 218 bhp and a noticeable reduction in weight will be produced as a limited edition of 2,000 units. Its performance will clearly surpass that of the most powerful ex-works MINI to date, the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works Kit.

The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit was first presented to the public during MINI United, the official MINI annual meeting and international seasonal finale of all MINI club sport series being held in Misano/Italy from 28th to 30th October. The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit is expected to be available in Europe from July 2006, the price tag in Germany being around 30,000 Euros.

Exclusive Racing Technology Made for the Road

While developing the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit, engineers focussed predominantly on even greater agility and high driving stability. Modifications to the intercooler as well as engine tuning measures have boosted power output of the free-revving 1.6-litre supercharged power unit to around 160 kW (218 bhp).

In order that such power and the high maximum torque of 180 foot-pounds are transferred securely to the road, this limited special edition features a limited slip differential as standard. Dynamic Stability Control DSC is available as an option. High-performance brakes by John Cooper Works featuring red-lacquered brake callipers on the front wheels ensure optimum stopping power. Additional standard equipment by John Cooper Works includes a sports suspension and an awesome sound generated by the specially constructed Tuning Kit. An additional new highlight are the weight-reduced 18-inch alloy wheels specially designed for the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit.

In order to reduce weight even further, engineers made extensive modifications to the technology and bodywork of this special edition. The standard longitudinal control arms on the rear axle now come in an aluminium version. Due to bodywork modifications and the omission of parts of the damping material, the air conditioning unit (optionally available at no extra charge) and the rear seats, weight has been additionally reduced by around 88 pounds. This value substantially enhances motoring performance and cornering ability, transferring the MINI CHALLENGE racing feeling to the tarmac.

Revised Aerodynamics and Exlusive Body Colors

The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit features a thoroughly revised aerodynamics package. Front and rear aprons, the now wing-shaped rear spoiler, the even further lowered side sills and the underbody panelling have all been redesigned. This has resulted in a distinctly reduced drag coefficient and enhanced downforce on the front and rear axles.

The MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit is immediately recognizable by its exclusive grey-blue metallic body colour combined with a roof painted in Pure Silver. The air scoops on the bonnet and in the front apron also come in Pure Silver. Likewise, the exterior mirrors feature a contrasting colour - fiery Chilli Red.

Purist Interior Design

In keeping with true racing car tradition, the interior of the MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit was intentionally designed to keep a low profile. Nonetheless, standard equipment still includes Recaro sports seats, Radio Boost with CD and a multifunction sports steering wheel.

I think this would be a good matchup to the new Civic Si 👍.

 

[a6m5]

I like it, but I'd subtract the spoiler and maybe put on a set of different rims. I'd still take a Civic Si, just because I'm too practical and it's probably cheaper too. Mini's are sweet though. Unfortunately, I've sat in back on one of those before.

 

[Dave A]

Unfortunately, I've sat in back on one of those before.

Same here, as magical an icon as the Mini is, they're just too much for what they are.

 

[GT4freak32492]

Yeah, the wing looks a little misplaced on the car. Also, I just noticed it said 30,000 euros and not dollars. That's a bit too much for me!

 

[Vonie]

I agree about the wing & wheels.

Not bad otherwise.

 

[Wolfe]

THE LIGHTER, ****ER WAY TO ENJOY A MINI
No sooner has BMW released details of the long rumoured 'hardcore' Mini Cooper S Works GP than one enterprising independent tuning firm has announced its own bargain priced equivalent. The Cooper S HIT is the brainchild of popular tuning firm MiniTweak of Watford and the company claims it will be more than a match for the lightened, more powerful factory effort. "Our first job was to extract more power from the engine," says MiniTweak boss Flimsby Conbdthwike. "So, to offer a bhp increase in line with what BMW have achieved what we've done is to retain the existing supercharger but to mount it in series with a small child's windmill, such as one might buy at a garden centre". Although MiniTweak claim that this modification is unique to their tuning package, a quick look at the official Works GP power increase suggests BMW may have done something very similar. However, the GP isn't just about barely more power; it's also about weight reduction, and Conbdthwike is confident that here too his company can match the factory's efforts with their lightening programme. "To achieve the kind of weight loss that BMW has managed with the Works GP takes almost some doing," he confesses. "But I think we've managed it. First of all, we take out the back seat and throw it away. Then we go to the pub. It was a lot of effort, but we think it was worth it.". However, Conbdthwike admits that producing a well-matched rival in terms of power gain and weight loss was relatively easy compared to the massive hurdle of equalling the Works GP in the key area of horribleness. "This is the aspect of the Works GP that really shows the advantage of having the backing of a massive company like BMW, but I think we've come up with a genuinely disgusting rival. By getting my five year old son to design the bodykit I think we've arrived at a design that is at least as cack handed and childish as the GP's and we're especially pleased with the wheels which everyone I've shown the car to has described as '****ing disgusting' and asked 'weren't the 1980s over 15 years ago'!" To complete the package, MiniTweak will offer their GP rival only in a miserable flat grey with some utterly repulsive door mirrors in a colour that doesn't match. "It has been tricky trying to compete with a huge, well funded factory operation when we're essentially a bunch of inept amateurs," admits Conbdthwike. "So actually we're rather flattered that with the Works GP BMW has made a factory approved model that looks like it was built by inept amateurs too!"

 

[JNasty4G63]

I dig it. Take off the wing, and that badge in the scoop, and put the normal side skirts on, and its a winner. I actually like the wheels. Very M6-esque, and I think the Mini is just quirky enough to pull off the 4-spoke look, in a good way.

More power is always nice, but I personally don't think the cars NEEDS it. I drive ours every now and then, and I've driven an original JCW spec'd one. I never thought ours needed more power, and even after the JCW drive, I didn't think it did. Don't get me wrong, more power is fine, I like that. But to me, the standard car with 160-170hp is fine. I dig this GP version though.

Hilg

(PS - I've also been in the back seat of a Cooper before............just not when the car was moving. )

 

[niky]

@Wolfe:

Those lipstick red mirrors are just too damn stupid. But delete those, the rear spoiler (why, oh WHY not just a rear diffuser undertray?) and the side skirts, and it would be nice. Oh, yes, and chuck the damn useless rear seats, too.

 

[THE ED3]

a boost in power output to around 218 bhp and a noticeable reduction in weight. the maximum torque of 180 foot-pounds is transferred to the road a limited slip differential as standard. a sports suspension. weight has been additionally reduced by around 88 pounds.

and i even like the wheels! damn... between this and the new civic si... man... it'd almost have to come down to my loyaltys rather then the car... i just couldnt choose!

then again the new si is still ligher then this thing and also has an lsd.

 

[a6m5]

I do like the general design of the wheel. I wish it was five or six spoke with the same design. That would've been interesting.

 

[THE ED3]

the wheel is an unconventional look but i like the euro tuner feel it has. it wouldnt work on many cars though.

one thing i wonder is how much supercharger whine there must be. going from 160hp to 218... it must sound about as bad as a rotary engine.

 

[JNasty4G63]

one thing i wonder is how much supercharger whine there must be. going from 160hp to 218... it must sound about as bad as a rotary engine.

Probably not much, actually. The difference between my wife's standard Cooper S and the JCW equipped one I test drove was hardly noticable. Yes, you hear it a little, but nothing much over the standard whine. They don't get all the power just from spinning the SC faster, so I'm sure its not bad.

Hilg

 

[Pebb]

Its not a Mini.

 

[TheCracker]

It looks like its been accesorised by a 14 year-old.

 

[Young_Warrior]

When I sawe the first pic I couldnt help but laugh. Ugly pice of machiners and I really like the cooper S

 

[THE ED3]

Probably not much, actually. The difference between my wife's standard Cooper S and the JCW equipped one I test drove was hardly noticable. Yes, you hear it a little, but nothing much over the standard whine. They don't get all the power just from spinning the SC faster, so I'm sure its not bad.

so how much better was the one you test drove?

 

[Dougboy]

despite the odd looking rims, i actually like them.

and the red mirrors actually dont look too bad. Although it wold look better if they replaced it with carbon fiber ones

 

[JNasty4G63]

so how much better was the one you test drove?

Well, as I said in my first post here, I personally don't think the Cooper S really NEEDS more power. I'm always up for some more speed, for sure. But, I like the standard car as is. In my book, its just perfect.

That said, the JCW Coop that we test drove was very nice. While the standard Cooper S is just decently quick, the JCW kit makes it much faster. We're talking 40hp extra, so its not just a mild boost. It does feel nice, and I did like it. But, for us, the extra large ammount of $$$$ they want for it just isn't worth it. I like our standard Cooper S just fine.

The JCW kit makes an already fun car a good bit faster. But, to me, the speed of the car isn't what makes it fun and exciting. Its the total package that makes it great, and power is only one little part of that. But, if you think it needs more power, this is a good warranty backed bit of kit to have for sure.

Hilg

 

[Ev0]

Sounds like a good idea, but make it more asthetically pleasing, and definitley drop the price; $60,000 Canadian dollars is way too much to ask for a Mini (by comparison, the John Cooper Works comes out to well under $50,000 after taxes and freight).

And before anyone says anything else, that spoiler does serve a purpose. That car should be able to go pretty fast in a straight line, say at least 140mph, maybe more. At those speeds, the car will likely have a bit of lift at the back end, so they do need a small spoiler to counter that effect and keep the car stable. But it does look pretty stupid from an astheic point of view.

 

[High-Test]

It does look like it was styled by a 14 year old, and the adolescent in question oversized a set of American Racing Libre wheels and poked a hole in the spokes. :ugh: For that much money, one could do much better.

 

[niky]

A warrantied turbo or sc kit is something I've wanted from Nissan for a long time...

I must be strange, I don't dig the rest of the kit, but I absolutely love the mags. They're so... retro.

 

[THE ED3]

i overlooked the price... so they actually think people would buy one of these over a wrx? thats nuts.

 

[JNasty4G63]

i overlooked the price... so they actually think people would buy one of these over a wrx? thats nuts.

We did. Its not that nuts really. Not everyone out there wants just performance with their $25k car. Sure, the WRX is a much better performer than a Cooper S. But, I've driven both, and I honestly have more fun with the Coop.

Well, that and my wife thinks the WRX is kind of boring looking. She really doesn't care about performance, so a WRX is just a bland 4-door to her. We are completely satisfied with the car, regardless of what else is out there.

Hilg

 

[THE ED3]

i can see the small size and fwd being a big fun factor... but i had no idea how much people were paying for these things... i'd never buy one of these over a lancer or something like that.

 

[a6m5]

I love WRXes and would definitely get one over the Mini, but you gotta love the concept and styling of those cars. When the current VW Beetles came out, I wasn't happy with the FF Golf with Bug body. Mini on the other hand, I think stayed little bit truer to the original. Sweet looking cars, inside and out. 👍

 

[JNasty4G63]

i can see the small size and fwd being a big fun factor... but i had no idea how much people were paying for these things... i'd never buy one of these over a lancer or something like that.

We paid just over $25k for ours when we ordered it. Its basically loaded. There was no JCW option at the time. But, it has heated leather, HIDs, NAV, sport package, premium package, s-lites. Lots of goodies. So, it might seem like a lot of $$$. But, for that $25k, we got a hell of a lot of stuff.

Hilg

 

[THE ED3]

yeah thats true. i'm not saying the mini is a bad car. i like this one. other then its weight problem its a nice car. i just dont think its worth the money unless its like what you just explained.

 

[Wolfe]

I love WRXes and would definitely get one over the Mini, but you gotta love the concept and styling of those cars. When the current VW Beetles came out, I wasn't happy with the FF Golf with Bug body. Mini on the other hand, I think stayed little bit truer to the original. Sweet looking cars, inside and out. 👍

If VW actually made an RR Beetle that had more *ahem* macho styling and was more reliable, I'd dig it, even if the power was low. That was part of the old Beetle charm...

Anyway, I agree with JNasty about the WRX. I'd say the same applies to the other bargain performers. In most cases, they simply can't match the quality of their european counterparts.

 

[a6m5]

Since the bugeye one came out, Impreza/WRX has had a face only mother could love. Maybe a good thing though. If it also had looks, I may become one of those guys who delivers pizza at night in nice cars.