First drive review: Mini John Cooper Works GP (2013)

This little number isn’t just quick, it is the fastest road-going Mini the company has yet produced. No question, the John Cooper Works GP is the hottest date going. Just 2,000 examples will be built, and Britain’s allocation is going fast. Sadly, you’ll need to be a bit of a Rockefeller in the wallet department as the Works GP wears a £28,790 price tag.

Search for and buy a quality used Mini John Cooper Works GP on driving.co.uk

So is it worth the cash? Well, with 215bhp on tap, a claimed 0-62mph dash in just 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 150mph, the GP’s performance on paper is stunning.

But take this little road rocket onto a race circuit as we did and it proves a revelation. The GP has been stripped out — the rear seats have been dumped in favour of a stiffening brace — and it weighs in at a racer-friendly 1,160kg. That little turbocharged 1.6-litre motor delivers a hugely enthusiastic wedge of torque, too, all 206 lb ft of it rocketing you out of corners.

And it attacks those corners like an eager beagle on the scent. The steering is hugely communicative, urging you to take the next hairpin just a bit quicker than the last. Inside, super-supportive Recaro bucket seats pin you in place as you stir the six-speed manual gearbox into action, lining up the next rumble strip.

A boy racer’s fantasy? Yes, just a bit, but as expensive thrills go, this one’s hard to top.

Verdict ★★★★☆

One mighty Mini.

Factfile

Price:

From £28,790

Engine:

1598cc, 4 cylinders

Power:

215bhp @ 6000rpm

Torque:

206 lb ft @ 2100rpm

Transmission:

6-speed manual

Acceleration:

0-62mph: 6.3sec

Top Speed:

150mph

Fuel:

40mpg (combined)

CO2:

165g/km

Road Tax Band:

G