MINI ASIA and British United Automobiles, Inc. launched last week the Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition. This special model “draws upon the mettle of its forebear, the third-generation Mini John Cooper Works GP, and features exclusive specifications and an exhilarating 231hp engine in the quintessential three-door hatchback,” said Mini Asia in a release.
Explained Mini Asia Head Kidd Yam, “We received overwhelming response for the Mini John Cooper Works GP when we introduced the car in the Philippines in October last year. As such, we’ve specially developed the Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition to cater (to) fans who weren’t able to get their hands on the original, but still want to own a unique piece of motorsports history. This special edition was first conceptualized in Singapore, and only five units will be available in the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, Mini Philippines and Autohub Group of Companies President Willy Tee Ten added, “Mini has a longstanding history in motor racing, and the John Cooper Works range draws on this experience to bring authentic racetrack flair to the road. The Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition packs on the essence of John Cooper Works, and we are very pleased to launch this highly anticipated model here in the Philippines.”
Design elements of the model were directly derived from the Mini John Cooper Works GP. The Inspired Edition receives a gray metallic hue on its body and a contrast color Melting Silver Metallic for its roof. A John Cooper Works rear spoiler and mirror caps are common to both models as well — as are a black engine bonnet scoop, black door handles and black fuel lid.
The Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition boasts 18-inch lightweight forged wheels in the John Cooper Works Cup spoke design, upon which run-flat tires are fitted. Hub caps bear the GP logo. It gets piano-black headlight surrounds and a blackened inner part for its adaptive LED headlights and rear lights. A unique “GP Inspired” lettering appears in the side doors, as well as the air inlet trim and the C-pillar.
Standard interior equipment includes John Cooper Works sports seats at the front, covered with a Dinamica leather combination. The GP badge appears under the headrests and in the floor mats for the driver and front passenger. The “GP Inspired” lettering is displayed on the high-gloss dashboard fascia, and both front and rear velour floor mats are finished in red stitching.
The John Cooper Works leather steering wheel has been designed in a unique concept. The steering wheel is covered in Walknappa Leather, features red stitching, and a stylish 3D-printed metal center marking for the 12 o’clock position. Associated with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, the metal shift paddles on the steering wheel with the “GP” logo are likewise 3D-printed in metal. The key cap is also a product of the 3D-printed process, and makes a stylish statement with the “GP” lettering in the middle.
The vehicle is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with Mini TwinPower Turbo technology. It supplies 231hp (from 5,200 to 6,200rpm) and 320Nm (from 1,450 to 4,800rpm) — enabling the Mini to sprint from standstill to 100kph in 6.1 seconds, onto a top speed of 246kph. Adaptive suspension keeps the driver “feeling in total control especially during dynamic cornering” while the a sports exhaust system “adds an acoustic flourish to the car’s sporty character with its hearty sound track.”
This is mated to the aforementioned eight-speed Steptronic transmission operated via a model-specific electronic gear selector switch. Manual intervention in gear selection is also possible using the standard shift paddles on the steering wheel for particularly spirited driving.
The Mini John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition is priced at P3.99 million. For more information, visit https://secure.mini.com.ph/gp-inspired-edition/ or make an appointment to view the car in person.