New Motoringfile article says they located a thinly disguised electric GP (with the Mini-E's yellow brakes, and solid grille, and GP's spoiler). They're guessing 2022. It would be pretty hot and with the weight in the middle too. (Sorry I can't copy/paste links on this forum it might be my work computer's fault).

 

Yes, but only the equivalent of 301hp and a short battery range along with twice the cost of the base model. Where's the beef?

 

The 2020 GP3 costs $45,000. The electric would accelerate way faster (heck the base E-Mini is faster from 0-30 than the GP). Center of gravity dead center. 4 wheel drive. Maybe bad range but it's a track car not a family picnic-mobile.

 

A track car for one or two laps. Probably a good autocross car. You'll just have to trailer it to the event.

 

Maybe MINI USA places diesel superchargers at key track ? The only E Mini I would ever consider is a 400 hp hybrid with 300 front and why not 100 hp at the rear but please like Porsche with wheels hub motors. But for that, I don't need MINI.

 

No electic Minis for me either. This Clubman will be my last one. After this I'll get me a freaking completely restored 1975 Lincoln Town Car. Yellow with a brown vinyl roof and some "opera windows". We all end up in one some day right?

 

 

We own a 2020 Clubman JCW and a 2021 SE. A GP-E would be a great car. I for one would love to see that come to market.

 

That's what I'm talkin' about Willis! Need some real ashtrays (with lighters in them) front and back to. And some girl's right leg sticking out the rear window (toes up) too, those were the days!

 

Electrification is on the way, but for O. Fs. it is not a welcome change. But, that is the way of things to come and fossil fuels are on the way out for myriad reasons. I will enjoy the fossil fuel mobiles that I have for as long as I can. From my first homemade go kart in 1960 to today petroleum fueled toys have been my passion. Wheeled, flying, and floating ones!

 

My new dream is a GP-E, 150 hp x 4 wheels with high capacity, fast charge, multiple quick change batteries and I win the first 24 hour Road Atlanta Electric Challenge.

 

Having owned several EVs (and MINI, GTI, Mustangs, etc.), EVs have some substantial pros. Even the highest level of performance-oriented gas cars can benefit from some of them (see 918, 919, etc.), but I agree with you that they haven't captured the character and fun of some gas cars.

That's why we're back looking at MINIs, in fact. Despite our current EV being about as quick as any MINI ever made and being technically as capable as all but a few, perhaps (and very convenient and cheap to fuel 360 days/year), it's just not as fun as even our 118hp R56 Cooper was. To be fair, neither was the GTI we had.

Now, part of the problem is that no one has made a legit hot hatch EV, yet... except maybe the MINI SE... but there's something about rowing your own gears and things like that that give a sense of satisfaction that you don't get from EVs, IMO. Plus, the fun, tossable character of a MINI.

For many people and for many use cases, EVs are legitimately better. But for enthusiast cars, I understand the allure of engines, manuals, etc... despite their issues.

Hopefully, a GP-E fixes some of the issues with many EVs : not just quick, but tossable, fun, good-looking, trackable (cooling), etc.

It may never be the same as a manual GP1/GP2, but it could be a great car, IMO. I'm looking forward to it... but at the same time, I want a manual JCW or my old R56 back (minus the propensity for dropping valve seats).

Thus ends my novel on EVs vs Gas that no one asked for.

 

I think that dream is going to remain a dream. The chance of it having 4 motors or quick-change batteries is, IMO, basically zero. However, I do hope it has somewhat more range than the SE, with substantially faster charging, too. Oh, and better cooling to avoid such quick power loss on track.

 

There is something primal-basic about the firing vibration of an ICE. Why else would peeps put loud exhausts on? Enthusiasts will want gas engines for a long time to come.