MINI Is Ready to Race with New John Cooper Works GP Concept
This is what a hot hatch should look like.
At the 2017 IAA car show in Frankfurt, BMW unveiled the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept, a modern race-ready monster of a hot hatch. The concept sees a very aggressive lowered stance and a “Black Jack” Anthracite paint job complemented with grey, black and “Curbside” Matte Red Metallic highlights. Aesthetically, the front has large air intakes and carbon fiber diffusers, which also makes its way along the side in the form of skirts and eventually into the rear where twin tailpipes finish off the look.
The car’s stance is achieved via 19-inch lightweight racetrack wheels in a spoke-heavy design and a lowered suspension. Shapes play a large role in the car’s design as elliptical headlights cohabitat the front-end with a hexagonal grille while LED rear lights house half Union Jacks on each side, a homage to the concept’s British origins.
On the car is the number “0059” which is a reference to 1959, the year the classic MINI was born. The interior concept is pure racing as all non-essentials are gutted. A roll cage with a pair of mounted bucket seats featuring five-point seat belts are paired with a paddle shift steering wheel. Digital instruments provide feedback to the driver while all interactions and adjustments are made through a touch-control system including a start/stop button. 3D printed parts also can be found in the interior including 3D knitted seats.
Take a look for yourself at the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept above and let us know if this is the hottest hatch you’ve seen. Also be on the lookout for the BMW M5, set to hit dealers in the spring of 2018.
