Summary
The John Cooper Works GP (JCW GP) was a limited edition hot hatch based on the popular three-door Mini hatch, proclaimed by the company to be its fastest model ever.
Topping Mini’s John Cooper Works (JCW) performance range, the JCW GP was an even faster limited edition hot hatch with 3,000 vehicles built for sale worldwide, of which only 575 were allocated to the UK.
Described by Auto Express as “a car that delights and frustrates in equal measure”, the JCW GP was powered by a 306hp 2.0-litre petrol engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that was frequently labelled as “slow” by British reviewers.
However, the key criticism levelled against the JCW GP was that it had unruly road manners. “Just leaf through the bible of absolute automotive no-gos, and the vices are all there in abundance”, Car explained. “Steering fight, torque steer, waywardness at any speed and marginal ride comfort.”
Carbuyer added that the car’s distinctively sporty bodywork, with carbon fibre inserts over the wheel arches and on the front and rear bumper, looked like “an afterthought rather than an essential addition”. It also criticised the GP for a lack of practicality on a day-to-day basis, as it only offered two seats – the normal Mini rear seats were not installed to save weight.
“Love or hate it, there’s no denying that on the right road it’s a ballistic missile”, The Telegraph concluded, while suggesting that the Mini JCW GP would make a “mighty” track car.
The Sunday Times agreed, adding that the hot hatch had a high quality interior, and that considering it was an exclusive model, it was “extremely good value” – with new prices starting at just north of £35,000 when it went on sale.
As of January 2024, the Mini John Cooper Works GP hols a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 61%.
- Mini hatch (2014 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Mini hatch John Cooper Works (2015 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Mini Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
JCW GP highlights
- Serious pace
- High-quality interior
- Well-equipped
- Reasonably priced
JCW GP lowlights
- Unruly driving dynamics
- Only two seats
- Slow-shifting automatic gearbox
- More fun to be had in other hot hatches
Key specifications
Body style: Three-door hatchback
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £35,345 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: N/A
Discontinued: Spring 2020 (limited run model)
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mini GP is a car that delights and frustrates in equal measure. The performance from its 2.0-litre engine is phenomenal, while it feels like a miniature touring car thanks to its handling set-up. What hinders the GP is its slow automatic gearbox and overly firm ride.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“As hardcore as it is in many areas, it doesn’t quite feel like the full raging race car for the road that Mini would have us believe it is.”
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Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The GP hits the bullseye by enabling the reincarnation of puberty and overt childishness regardless of birth date – and that’s the number one thing we want in a hot hatch.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Given the reputation of its predecessors, it’s fair to say that the new Mini John Cooper Works GP has arrived on the scene weighed down with a lot of reputation. And while it might not be quite as accomplished to drive as the second-generation car, it’s certainly involving and, most importantly, exciting.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed:
Score: 7.6 / 10
“It might not be the most polished hot hatchback but the MINI JCW GP is fast and exciting.”
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Evo
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“In great weather and on perfectly smooth roads the Works GP could be great, but it struggles where our favourite hatches shine brightest.”
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Motoring Research
Model reviewed:
“In hindsight, riding a plastic Bucking Bronco at a friend’s wedding felt oddly like driving the Mini John Cooper Works GP. Both are fun in small doses. Both left me exhilarated and exhausted.”
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The Intercooler
Model reviewed:
“It might work on a track, it may be one of the fastest hatches, but on road I’ve driven nothing similar in price and pace I wouldn’t rather have. I’d take a Cooper S for two-thirds the money too, let alone a Fiesta ST. Less is often more, but it works both ways, as the Mini GP proves unintentionally well.” (Andrew Frankel)
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The Sun
“You’ll buy the Mini JCW GP for the looks and performance.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
” When other firms launch a limited-run car such as this, they tend to go a bit berserk with the price tag. But this Mini is less than £35,500. That is extremely good value, principally because most of the time it’s much, much more fun than cars costing 10 times the price.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“You’ll either love or hate this top-of-the-range hot hatchback, but there’s no denying that on the right road it’s a ballistic missile.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The third JCW to get the stripped and spoiler treatment is the fastest, most powerful car Mini has ever made, but far from the most fun.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2014
Date expired: January 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 79%
Child protection: 73%
Vulnerable road users: 66%
Safety assist: 56%
No safety rating
The Mini hatch John Cooper Works GP shared its Euro NCAP safety score with the regular Mini hatch, which was assessed in December 2014 and awarded a four-star rating.
However, this rating expired in January 2020 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Mini hatch of any variety to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Mini JCW GP was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 472
Average repair cost: £441.92
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
Across all three generations, the Mini hatch has a reliability score that is slightly below average, according to workshop and warranty data from our commercial partner, MotorEasy.
The biggest concern is that the most common problem is also the most expensive one – engine issues. The average repair cost is about £700, so it’s worth carefully inspecting a used car or making sure you purchase an extended warranty for your Mini to cover you once the factory new car warranty runs out.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mini John Cooper Works GP has received
2020
- The Sunday Times Motor Awards – Jeremy Clarkson’s People’s Car of the Year
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mini John Cooper Works GP, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Abarth 595 | Ford Fiesta ST | Hyundai i20 N | Mini Cooper S | Suzuki Swift Sport | Toyota GR Yaris | Volkswagen Polo GTI | Volkswagen Up GTI
- Mini hatch (2014 onwards) – Expert Rating
- Mini hatch John Cooper Works (2015 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Mini ratings, reviews, news and features
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