Second that.

IMO the exterior does the car no justice.

 

I hate that it has the normal JCW body kit and only 3-5 more horsepower than my JCW. I guess I like the color though.

 

I don't think any official HP specs have been published. I've seen 214 and 220 and 220+ so I'm not sure what to expect. About the only performance related spec they've published is the 'ring time which doesn't mean much to most people in the U.S.

 

not much to get excited about crap paint, crap wheels, a cheap version of the challenge diffuser :( and probably no more power than the jcw

 

+1

 

Well, that's not really accurate Ian. They've confirmed it's more horsepower than the JCW. As for the wheels, paint and diffuser, that's just personal preference. As the fastest MINI ever produced, they'll sell out 2000 of these worldwide no problem, even if it was painted purple.

 

I'm just waiting for the posts that say...'what a ripoff...totally not worth it ...I can buy an MCS and then with the money saved get a blah..blah..blah... and then have a better car'

 

Even though I am not thrilled with appearance, there is no doubt it is special vehicle considering the specs., and Kurtster is correct the run of 2000 GP's will sell out quickly and become almost as collectible as the original GP. As to pricing referenced in earlier posts, I am guessing under $40, afterall, it's a Hardtop without some common pricey options like the panoramic sunroof, and not a Convertible.

 

I can buy a Jcw have Jan tune it then throw on some kuhmo 225/40/17s and save 10k and not have it look like a reject from Pepboy's.

 

I must admit that presently I am not a big fan of some of the appearance items but I get a kick out of some of the posts saying that the performance level will not be there or is easily obtainable with random bolt ons. I think most of these comments come from people who have not had some good seat time in a GP. MINI/BMW engineers can put together an ausum package when they put their knowledge to it. Their choice of mods equals more than the sum of the parts.
Steve

 

I think it will be much better looking, and more impressive, in person. Photos often don't do cars justice, and these were taken indoors with weird lighting. As to speed... It's going to be FAST from the minute it leaves the factory. I can't afford it, and it is far too much car for me, but I want to ride in one some day and hope that someone in the club buys one!

 

I just think it's a little funny that the Chevy Cobalt SS/TC is faster than the new JCW GP on the Nurburgring. (http://www.fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html #160).

 

Just like the M3 is different from a regular 3 series, the new GP should be different also. Not just by colors, wheels and decals. Maybe it should be a widebody like the M3 with distict features to only the GP so it stands out. Yes I know the wheels are different, big deal. Yes it has diffusers, big deal if you know what they are for.

Now on the other hand. I would ditch the flash for stealth. Imagine the look on the unsuspecting sucker that wants to play.

 

I was told it will not be coming to Canada since it doesn't meet our bumper safety specs.

 

You guys and your 'stealth'!! We can tell who grew up watching the Kitt car, eh? LOL!!

MINI is right to go with this color combo... and I bet it looks impressive in 'real life'!

 

Ouchh , that's going to leave a mark.

 

The Cobalt SS turbo makes 260hp... thats alot.

 

Remember this post:

217.5 bhp will be the power..

 

Agreed, and this time they've put a lot more time into this car than in the previous GP.

Well i think the power difference is quite big, assuming that the GP won't be more than 220hp, and power is really important on the ring.

Anyway it's just like 0.25 seconds faster A Megane with the same power as the Cobalt is waaaaaay faster...

 

Yes guys like me, like not to be seen. I like fooling the fool who thinks he can beat you.

 

I would like to see a wide body kit separate it from the rest as well. I've always thought the JCW should come with, at least, an extra flare in the fenders like the M3 or STi to really set it apart.

 

Actually I found this post on another site which is a more direct comparison . As the ring is over 11 miles long it appears as ifthe R-53 GP is a bit quicker . Would be interesting to have them side by side on equal footing .

Randy
M7 Tuning

18 sec faster on the Nordschleife than the R53 GP... I wonder how much of that is due to the Kumho V70A, the R53 ran Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST as stock tires. Semi's vs Runflat's.

For a comparison, UTQG measurement of both:

Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST
Treadwear 280
Traction A
Temperature A

Kumho V70A
Treadwear 50
Traction AA
Temperature A

 

With over 30,000 kilometers experience on the north loop I can tell you that hp and tq will always win when dealing with cars of similar road holding and braking capabilities.

 

I only spent one day there so I don't have that much experience to fall back on so I am glad you are here with the seat time . How much faster do you think you could be between stock run flats and the ULHP set ?

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

On a Porsche gt3 street tires vs track tires you can expect 10-15 seconds reduction in lap times depending on driver,weather and traffic.I would say Spa or Laguna seca are better places to judge tire performance.

On your visit to the ring I hope you had a chance to visit josephs bar at the dorint.