This can be seen instantly in the car’s design: a purist yet highly
emotional exterior and interior visualise the GP genes more radically
than ever before. The MINI John Cooper Works GP follows on from the
likewise limited-edition John Cooper Works GP small series of 2013 and 2006.
The exterior – emotionally designed top-level performance.
The flat front section with its wide track, large front apron, flared
wheel arches and a rear wing visible even from the front instantly
conveys uncompromising dynamic performance. Classic MINI icons such as
the elliptical headlights and the hexagonal radiator grille ensure a
clear-cut sense of identity and high recognition value. At the same
time, characteristic John Cooper Works elements such as the hood scoop
in the bonnet and the hexagonal honeycomb grille with GP logo in the
radiator grille underscore the sporty perception of the front.
The side view of the MINI John Cooper Works GP reveals the sportiest
MINI silhouette to date. The interplay between the narrowing window
area and the rising shoulder line traces a wedge shape at the side
that gives the impression of acceleration even when the car is
stationary. Below this, voluminous surfaces form a powerful vehicle
corpus. The large front apron and large roof spoiler give the side
view maximum sporty flair as well as ensuring aerodynamic optimum
performance. The exterior paint finish Racing Grey metallic alternates
between light grey and blue-violet, creating a powerful sense of
depth, while the roof and mirror caps are finished in Melting Silver.
All typical chrome elements at the front, side and rear such as MINI
logos, door handles, fuel filler cap, side scuttle and headlight
surrounds are finished in high-gloss black in this small-scale series.
Racing feeling with striking colour accentuations and carbon
fibre elements.
Deliberate MINImalism in terms of form and colour focuses on
technology, further emphasised by coloured accentuations in high-gloss
Chili Red and matt Rosso metallic. The use of lightweight materials
such as carbon fibre optimises the power-to-weight ratio, while the
highly optimised axle load distribution promises the hallmark MINI
go-kart feeling. The absolute highlight in the side view are the
attached wheel arch covers – so-called spats – which are made of
carbon fibre. Elaborately hand-crafted recycled carbon fleece from the
Landshut plant is used here. For the first time, the carbon fibre
fabric is directly visible and showcased by means of black hexagon
stitching. Meanwhile the numbering in the front spat shows the
small-series production number. The 18” lightweight forged wheels in
bi-colour design interpret the striking four-spoke theme of the MINI
John Cooper Works GP in filigree style. It is the lightest 18” forged
wheel ever to feature in the MINI, making a significant contribution
to weight reduction.
The rear section echoes the distinctive front and side design. The
expressive roof spoiler is not only a statement in sporty styling: its
shape also ensures optimum downforce and fits in perfectly with the
geometry. The same goes for the air diffusers and air ducting surfaces
in the apron. Prominently placed at the centre of the lower rear area,
the classic double tailpipe embodies the John Cooper Works DNA. The
bright stainless steel double tailpipes are manufactured with the
largest possible diameter and protrude powerfully and puristically
from the diffuser.
The interior – pure racing style.
The interior of the MINI John Cooper Works GP combines purist sporty
flair with powerful colour accentuations. The dark colour and material
concept creates a reduced, sporty basic mood, with high-quality,
deliberately coloured details at selected points. In the driver area,
the new free-standing digital instrument cluster on the steering
column puts the relevant information in the driver’s field of vision
as required by the situation at hand.
3D printing in detail.
The latest production techniques such as 3D printing round off the
special interior experience. A striking highlight from the driver’s
perspective are the aluminium shift paddles on the sports steering
wheel – manufactured using 3D printing. They echo the hexagonal theme
from the exterior in the form of filigree breakthroughs. The shift
paddles are a prominent element in the interior of the MINI John
Cooper Works GP in terms of both appearance and new improved haptics
and are featured in this form for the first time in a MINI. Another
new element is the 3D-printed steering wheel clasp and the individual
decorative trim strip in the passenger area. Each decorative trim
strip is unique and bears the vehicle’s limited-edition production
number. Their GP-specific hexagonal structure echoes the surface
structure of the shift paddles. In this way, MINI demonstrates a whole
new dimension of how 3D printing can be integrated in the serial
production process. The use of additive processes such as 3D printing
not only raises customisation to a new level, it also enables entirely
new forms of design style that were not previously possible using
conventional tools.
Minimalistic rear area.
The MINI John Cooper Works GP does not have a rear seat, as was the
case in the predecessor models, with preference instead being given to
achieving the lowest possible overall weight. The clear and tidy
surfaces of the rear compartment also reflect a reduction to the
essentials. The large “GP” lettering in the rear panel is achieved by
the use of different grains and gives the interior a striking, novel
accentuation. Behind the front seats, a red cross-brace generates a
racing atmosphere.