I only quoted the published article...

That makes sense - Sorry if the article mis-stated what they were doing.

 

But what do you suppose this means for the MT in the Gen 4s in general? I know, getting off topic a bit, but the GP has always lead into what is available for the next generation JCW.

 

Here is the latest from the Motoring File which covers both the GP3, and the future, the electric mini.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2019/08/...and+Podcast%29

The GP3 is delicious and I hope they offer it in black, but most likely it will follow tradition of Gray and Red. The electric mini is well, quiet I suppose.

BRING ON THE ROAR!

 

They want to make money, you their traget group over 50 fat wallet, the automatic plus software keeps you alive. I would say 50% percent of the JCW in Europe are manuals due to lower price, and obviously the choice of any serious driver with classic roots..

That the GP3 will not offer manual says it all.

 

Yup,...

 

For the present best seller M2 there is of course manual available, that shows how sporty BMW considers MINI )))))

 

Ah, capitalism at its finest, but that is why we have these wonderful toys! Old farts are in control for the most part, and have the resources to get what they want. I drove manuals for 40 years beginning with an Austin Healey 100-6, and progressing from there. I have been driving since I was 6 with go karts that my uncle built for me and on from there with 2 wheel and 4 wheeled toys with gasoline driven engines. I hope to do that as long as I am able. No apologies for what I like to do. Automatics are more efficient and faster, but as before we are a dying breed and climate change and more efficient electric motors will replace petroleum engines sooner rather than later. Enjoy what we have while we have it. Most likely I was driving standards before you were born and switched due to knee damage from a motorcycle wreck years ago.

 

The marketing team of JCW is either handicapped, by BMW, or by itself.

 

I would guess not before me, and if you were, not by much. I started with a Massey-Ferguson tractor on my Uncle’s farm...

It seems that the British cars were a “thing” with us - Mine was an MGA; no synchros in 1st or 2nd. Had to double clutch to downshift from 3rd and those cars were not design for heal and toe. Next was a Fiat 124 Spyder, then the “family car” a BMW 2002. The Fiat was the best of the bunch. Then fast forward to the current MINIs and a Cooper S. Even my Wrangler is a stick. It gets into one’s blood and doesn’t go away....

Sorry about the leg - But glad you are still enjoying life...

 

It is becoming the MINI version of a Camery...

 

Thats why MINI lacks.

 

Capitalism is the culprit, but then we would not have these wonderful toys without it! Be glad you don't live in Russia!

 

I bed they sell more supercars to Russia than to the States, but they might driving them in Monaco or London to, but in Greenland you a superstar with a GP3.

 

Ne dumayu sto (Translated = I don't think so). znayu Rossia! I don't have a Cyrillic Script keyboard.

 

China...

 

I'm with you on most of this, but total E-car dominance is not even going to be close in our lifetime. The electric infrastructure couldn't come close to supporting almost total replacing of internal combustion engines. Heck, the electrical distribution system has trouble handling peak A/C or heat requirements as it is. "Sorry boss, I couldn't make it to work because the power went out"!
Like you, I started on a go cart my uncles built using a 2 stroke motor from a washing machine. (Yes boys and girls, they used to make washing machines with I/C motors. Again, because the electric grid wasn't sufficient for everyone to have the "luxury") The first sporty car I ever drove was my Uncles MG-TC, I think it was a '47 and my first car was a '49 Mercury with "three on the tree". I still love my MT Mini and will continue to drive manuals as long as I'm physically able. Bet you weren't driving a standard before I was born Dan. Looking forward to seeing you at the Dragon in October.
I'm holding out a little hope that MINI will pull their head out of the "Up and locked" position and continue to offer the MT for us throwbacks.

 

Yeah, I enjoyed the manual prior to "the incident", but I have found the new automatics to be sufficient to keep me content and sassy. The C8 from what I have gleaned will only be offered with an automatic as well. I am actually more enthused about the GP3 than I am the C8. I must begrudgingly admit that sometimes I mess heal and toe! Still the new automatics are stellar and the DCT should be even better.

 

I dropped my MCS off at the dealer to have some work done and they gave me a loner MINI with an AT... What a disappointment. Hopefully the GP does better with the calibration of its AT than this had. In sport mode, the shift from 1 to 2 put the “slush” back into slush box. With a heavy foot and with higher RPMs it oozes from one gear to the next. Anything but crisp. And downshifting is equally not fun. Push on the throttle and nothing happens; you have to squeeze it a lot, load the engine up and, bang, it drops a gear. Not what I expected.


That said, I asked about when they thought that they would get the GP in - Mid next year. They expect to get a couple of them and already have deposits for them. Good for them.

Does anyone know if this quote, attributed to Jackie Stewart, is real:
"People who say they love the 'Ring' are either not going fast enough or lying"

Even so, I expect that it is true...

 

The GP does not have an automatic transmission per se, it has the DCT. Was the loaner an MCS? I have a 2016 JCW and the automatic on it is crisp and quick on the shift and the paddles are OK, although not as crisp as the manual I had in the R56 JCW.

 

I guess I am loosing track of “who is on first and what is on second” with this car and the other MINIs. So the GP will be a DTC.

I am glad you chimed in about the AT in the JCW. Nice to hear that it is pretty good. The loner was a base model Countryman and it was worse than the base 4 door Cooper I had as a loner a few months ago. I know the Countryman is heavier, but I would not have thought the feel of the shifting would be that much different. MINI seems to be all over the place with the calibration of the AT and I was hoping that it wasn’t impacting the GP. Not sure why I didn’t remember about the GP having the DCT. That makes this all a relatively mute point...

 

Anyone know if there are pics out there of the front and rear strut tie bars on the GP3?

 

Any word on pricing? wondering if its worth me saving for it at this point lol.

 

My MINI dealer didn’t have a price when I asked a few weeks back. But based on the way the Sales Manager was talking, I would expect $50k+.

 

Er... might one of you kind gentlemen expand on this "Looking forward to seeing you at the Dragon in October"?

PM me if you like, as I am feeling the need. Again.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

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