Mini John Cooper Works GP limited edition debuts for 2012

The new-generation Mini John Cooper Works GP was exhibited at the MINI United Festival in France. The specific power and torque figures have not been revealed but the car is claimed to race around the Nurburgring in 8 minutes, 23 seconds, which is a 19-second improvement over the last official time.

As with its predecessor, the GP-spec hardtop loses its rear seats for weight reduction purposes, receives a host of power and suspension upgrades including a race-spec suspension and brakes, and sports-tuned aerodynamics, wheels and graphics to differentiate itself from the “run-of-the-mill” JCW models.

Currently the standard JCW Minis produce 208 hp while this limited edition is speculated to produce over 214 horses.

Only 2,000 units of the new Mini JCW GPs will be built and sold globally.

Pricing details have not been announced, but the limited-production GP will likely hit Dhs 200,000 if it is offered in the GCC.