Tdudrivetime

MICHAEL GAUTHIER wrote:MINI has taken the wraps off the new John Cooper Works GP Concept.

Set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the concept draws inspiration from the company's accomplishments at the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally.

Looking decidedly aggressive, the car features a large front splitter and a honeycomb mesh grille with red accents. The sporty styling continues further back as designers installed extended front fenders, a hood scoop, and 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels with red and black accents.

Continuing aft of the A-pillar, the concept has been equipped with aerodynamic mirrors and carbon fiber side skirts. Of course, the biggest change is the addition of widened rear fenders which channel air around the body. Other highlights include a massive rear wing and a center-mounted dual exhaust system.

Since the concept was designed for racing, the interior has been stripped of all non-essential equipment. However, the company added an aluminum roll cage and two racing seats with five-point harnesses. Drivers will also find a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and 3D knitted accents.

MINI declined to say what powers the concept but the company says the model is "driving fun in its purest form.”

CRISTIAN GNATICOV wrote:Half a century has passed since Rauno Aaltoned won the Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini, and the brand is celebrating his accomplishment by introducing the John Cooper Works (JCW) GP Concept. Though we'll forgive you if you thought its was a new car for one of the future installments of the Fast & Furious franchise.

Shown for the first time to the public in Frankfurt today, the sportiest member of the family represents a very aggressive take on the production model, to which it adds a bunch of visual updates.

Red accents on the honeycomb mesh grille, large front splitter, hood and roof scoops, extended fenders, giant roof-mounted wing, rear diffuser with incorporated dual tailpipes, and 19-inch wheels, in addition to other add-ons, make it a true beast among its siblings.

And since the MINI JCW GP Concept pays a tribute to the company's racing days, its interior has been stripped down, and features a couple of racing seats with five-point harness, aluminum roll cage, digital instrument cluster, head-up display, and others.

The BMW-owned brand still hasn’t released any performance numbers, but we will remind you that the production model uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine that makes 231PS (228hp) and 320Nm (236lb-ft) of torque. The 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint takes 6.1sec in the automatic version, and 6.3sec with a manual gearbox.