MINI Asia and British United Automobiles Inc. have announced the availability of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition in the Philippines. This special model draws upon the mettle of its predecessor, the third-generation MINI John Cooper Works GP, and features exclusive specifications and an exhilarating 231hp engine in the quintessential 3 Door hatchback.
“We received an overwhelming response for the MINI John Cooper Works GP when we introduced the car in the Philippines in October last year. As such, we’ve specially developed the MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition to cater to fans who weren’t able to get their hands on the original, but still want to own a unique piece of motorsports history. This special edition was first conceptualized in Singapore, and only 5 units will be available in the Philippines,” said Mr. Kidd Yam, Head of MINI Asia.
Mr. Willy Tee Ten, President of MINI Philippines and Autohub Group of Companies, also said, “MINI has a longstanding history in motor racing, and the John Cooper Works range draws on this experience to bring authentic racetrack flair to the road. The MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition packs on the essence of John Cooper Works, and we are very pleased to launch this highly-anticipated model here in the Philippines.”
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Design
The design elements of the MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition were derived directly from the development process of the MINI John Cooper Works GP. Racing Gray Metallic for the body and the contrast color Melting Silver Metallic for the roof, as well as the John Cooper Works rear spoiler and mirror caps, adorn both models. Together with the black engine bonnet scoop, black door handles, and black fuel lid, these features show the intimate relationship between the two extreme athletes.
The MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition is fitted as standard with 18-inch lightweight forged wheels in the John Cooper Works Cup Spoke design that bears the GP logo and with run-flat tires. The Piano Black headlight surrounds and the blackened inner parts for the adaptive LED headlights and rear lights, the black MINI logo on the bonnet and tailgate serve as additional highlights. A unique “GP Inspired” lettering found on the two side doors, as well as on the air inlet trim and the C-pillar of the hatchback distinguishes the MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition from its predecessor.
Standard interior equipment includes John Cooper Works sports seats at the front in Dinamica leather combination. The GP badge integrated underneath the integrated headrests can also be found on the front floor mats. The “GP Inspired” lettering is displayed on the high gloss cockpit fascia, and both front and rear velour floor mats are finished in red stitching.
The steering wheel that is covered in Walknappa Leather features red stitching, and a stylish 3D printed metal center marking for the 12 o’clock position. Associated with the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, the metal shift paddles on the steering wheel with the “GP” logo are likewise 3D-printed in metal. The keycap is also a product of the 3D printed process and makes a stylish statement with the “GP” lettering in the middle.
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Power
The MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo technology. The 320Nm of maximum torque ensures plenty of pulling power, while the adaptive suspension keeps the driver feeling in total control especially during dynamic cornering. The sports exhaust system adds an acoustic flourish to the car’s sporty character with its hearty soundtrack.
The 8-speed Steptronic transmission is operated via a model-specific electronic gear selector switch. Manual intervention in gear selection is also possible using the standard shift paddles on the steering wheel for particularly spirited driving. For day-to-day use, the Steptronic sports transmission also caters to coasting in MID and GREEN mode. The auto start/stop function incorporates navigation and front camera data in its operation for smarter operation – for example, if the car detects that the vehicle is stopping briefly before making a turn or entering a roundabout, or if the traffic ahead has started moving again, the engine will not be switched off.
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Technology
The MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition has many premium features as standard such as Park Distance Control in the front and rear, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. A particularly useful feature is the MINI Head-Up Display which helps the driver concentrate on what is happening on the road by displaying relevant information right in the driver’s line of vision. As such, pertinent driving information can be seen quickly and conveniently without the driver having to take his eyes off the road.
The Driving Assistant package is also standard. This package incorporates a camera-based system that recognizes and reports speed limits, thereby increasing safety on the road. A digital high-beam assistant with Adaptive LED Matrix Headlights is also useful when traveling at night in areas that are not well-lit. The collision warning and pedestrian warning systems with city braking function make it easier to avoid dangerous situations. The Parking Assistant offers maximum comfort in searching for and using parking spaces, while the reversing camera gives drivers a better view when maneuvering.
Other innovations in the Driving Assistant package include the camera-based speed and distance control which helps the driver keep a safe distance, and the speed limit information system detects and displays speed limits as they apply to the current section of the road. This system is supplemented by the no passing display and traffic sign memory functions. The digital headlight assist function contributes to optimum visual conditions when driving at night. Oncoming traffic and preceding vehicles are registered by a camera, while automatic switching to dimmed headlights avoids causing a nuisance for other drivers.
The MINI John Cooper Works GP Inspired Edition has a price tag of Php 3,990,000 and can be viewed at MINI dealerships. For more information, visit https://secure.mini.com.ph/gp-inspired-edition/.