Prototype of the new extreme athlete in the model programme of the
British premium brand to be presented to the public for the first time
as part of the 24 Hours Nürburgring pre-race programme – Serial
production vehicle will go on the market in 2020 in a limited edition
of 3,000 units.
Munich. Motor racing fans from all over the world
will be eagerly following the 24-hour race at Nürburgring this
weekend. In the course of the pre-race programme of the
tradition-steeped endurance event, which starts on the afternoon of 22
June 2019, they will have the opportunity to see a car that has
already demonstrated absolute top-class performance in battling
against both the clock and the challenges presented by this demanding
race track. The new MINI John Cooper Works GP is currently completing
set-up runs on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife as part of its
series development process. Although there is still plenty of time for
fine-tuning until the market launch in 2020, the new extreme sports
car in the model range of the British premium brand is already
boasting lap times that are almost half a minute below the record set
by its predecessor. At the 24-hour race, the MINI and John Cooper
Works engineers will interrupt their testing programme for a short
while to present the disguised prototype of the new MINI John Cooper
Works GP to the public for the first time.
The new MINI John Cooper Works GP will be produced next year in a
limited edition of 3,000 units. With its high engine power,
model-specific suspension technology harmonised with John Cooper Works
motor racing expertise, weight-optimised construction and precisely
defined aerodynamic properties, it sets a new benchmark in the small
car segment. The fact that it takes the extreme driving fun offered by
a MINI to a whole new level has already become amply clear in the
course of tuning runs to date. The predecessor model set the previous
benchmark at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with a lap time of 8:23
minutes. The prototype of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP went round
the legendary “Green Hell” in less than eight minutes – and its
testing programme is not yet over.
The prototype of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP won’t be pushing
the limits during its demonstration run at the Nürburgring, but it
will hardly be able to hide its outstanding sporting potential even
when driven in moderate style. A more than 220 kW/300 hp 4-cylinder
engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology under the bonnet makes for
spirited sprint capacity and a captivating sound. Wide open air
intakes, large light alloy wheels, the distinctive design of the front
and rear aprons and the striking roof spoiler are its unmistakable
features for inspiring performance characteristics – despite the
disguise applied for testing purposes.
Racing enthusiasts at the Nürburgring can look forward to enjoying
hallmark MINI race feeling from three generations. The prototype of
the new MINI John Cooper Works GP will carry out its demonstration
runs together with its immediate predecessor and also the MINI Cooper
S with John Cooper Works GP Kit, which was unveiled in 2006. These two
top-class sports cars, each produced in a small series of 2,000 units,
expressed pure racing passion right from the start, since going on to
become coveted collectors’ items. Their fascinating character is based
on the concept of using the sporting MINI genes to develop a top-class
athlete that is uncompromisingly focused on extreme driving pleasure –
a principle that is taken to an even higher level by the new MINI John
Cooper Works GP.
In case of queries, please contact:
Press and PR
Matthias Bode, Press Officer Product Communication
MINI
Telephone: +49-89-382-61742, Fax:
+49-89-382-28567
E-mail: matthias.bode@mini.com
Andreas Lampka, Head of Communication MINI
Telephone: +49
89-382-23662, Fax: +49 89-382-28567
E-mail: andreas.lampka@mini.com
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad,
the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of
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more than 165,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the
financial year 2017 was € 10,655 billion on revenues amounting to €
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