The concept car picks up the baton from the 2012 John Cooper Works GP and 2006 Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit. Produced in strictly limited numbers (2,000 examples each), these two models explored the outer limits of their performance capability at the time.
Described as a car offering "driving fun in its purest form”, the concept features large front and rear aprons, side skirts and a prominent roof spoiler create a confident appearance. The use of lightweight materials such as carbon fibre optimises the car’s power-to-weight ratio. And evenly balanced weight distribution is a ticket to MINI’s signature go-kart feeling.
The car number 0059 refers to the year the classic Mini was born: 1959.
The interior of the John Cooper Works GP Concept is pared back to its core elements, its roll cage joined on board by little more than a pair of low-mounted bucket seats with five-point belts and a cleanly-designed instrument panel. Gearshift is by paddles on the steering wheel.
MINI said cabin elements were designed to be driver-focused. The display and control concept with digital instrument cluster and Head-Up Display places the relevant information for the situation at hand directly in the driver’s eye-line.
Interaction between driver and car is otherwise digital, notably touch-control adjustment of suspension settings in MINI’s familiar central instrument. The display is in large-screen format and there is a large emergency cut-off button along with the traditional MINI toggle switches with start/stop button.
