[SCOTT26]

GP : A new Template for Performance?

When MINI first began selling the MINI Cooper in 2001. They had no idea on how their acorn would lead to a great oak and to thank their customers , enthusiasts and supporters for that success in which MINI ventured from just a brand to a modern icon.
Given MINI's core demographic was youth inspired aswell as the young at heart that MINI tapped into that lifestyle and created a festival for cars aptly named MINI United. The MINI United event embodies everything associated with MINI the brand. Music , image , art , fashion , media and of course the MINI itself. MINI United is a celebration of the MINI success story and has a global audience in attendance.


In amongst the festivities there is also the importance of the car and in this age the MINI brand which has grown in response to global demand with the best selling MINI Model globally being the MINI Countryman.
At the very first MINI United the covers were taken off a very exciting new MINI Concept, A strictly limited Performance model which was called the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works GP edition. Its intention was to stand out as a Performance MINI which it did. built in limited numbers the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works GP Edition sold out and some have kept their cars because it was a fantastic little car. Of course when the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works GP Edition was launched , MINI were getting ready to replace the R53 with the all new R56 - The MINI that would lead the product expansion and the brand to record heights. In 2013 - The all new MINI F56 will appear aswell as the birth of a new MINI family.

With the next MINI part of the BMW UKL FWD synergy , a move that will show the co-existence of the two brands in the same market. The next generation MINI and BMW City Compact are not, however a VW Up, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii. They will inherit their own ideas , style , appearance and market.
To understand how this synergy works? The BMW X1 and MINI Countryman are in the same market and are both Premium vehicles and sell in huge volumes.

Of course the R56 has done well , it has moved the MINI into a premium segment and has diversified the MINI brand with innovative production concepts and at MINI United in May MINI will take the covers off the MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works GP Edition in R56 form.
The new GP2 will update the formula that proved so successful with the first GP. That means a slightly more aggressive bodykit that the standard JCW version and a MINI Challenge inspired but far more resolved rear wing constructed from carbon fiber reinforced plastic as before. Like the GP 1 we will also see unique 18″ wheels and a much lowered stance thanks to the standard JCW suspension. A new addition to the exterior over the first GP will be taken straight from the track inspired MINI Challenge car. A functional diffuser that reduces lift over the rear axle of the car. Like before this MINI loses the back seats in favour of a structural bar.
The engine , steering , chassis and suspension have been worked on to lift this MINI above the current crop of JCW's.
Exterior and Interior will retain unique features like before such as performance seats and unique trim. Again like before this MINI will be offered in a limited color.

The new GP is the creation of new MINI boss Dr.Kay Segler the father of the BMW 1er M Coupe and the new BMW M6.
So right away you know this is not going to be an "Average"car.
BMW have been looking at a Performance sub-brand for MINI above the current JCW brand to offer MINI customers some real entertaining MINI's that progress the JCW cars further (but without stratospheric prices as the Audi A1 Quattro). The GP brand is being investigated as a template to that progression. A GP Coupe is possible in the future as is potential Countryman and the upcoming Countryman Coupe.

May will be a very exciting time for BMW Group fans - The M. Festival and MINI United commence on the same month with the same amount of surprise and new concepts.
After the MINI United Event , the next public appearance for the GP2 will be at the Mondial l'auto in Paris this October. With sales expected to commence before the end of 2012.

[to_riffic]

nice! figure this would come into fruition again.

[kyleb350]

Sounds like a fun car.