The Mini JCW, or John Cooper Works, is one of the hottest front-wheel-drive hatchbacks on the market. Parent company BMW has now confirmed that a Mini JCW GP is heading for production.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a GP version of the JCW. There have been two previous editions of the GP, both of which were produced in a limited volume of 2 000 units each. It’s safe to assume that the latest Mini JCW GP will also be limited to the same production run.

Market launch in 2020

Hot-hatch fans will have to wait a bit as a production model is due in 2020. We will probably see production-ready versions at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show. Incidentally, at the 2017 show was where BMW unveiled a radical concept version of the JCW GP (pictured above).

Mini did not release specifics about the JCW GP. It’s a safe bet to assume that the apex model will offer in excess of the 170 kW of power and 320 N.m torque on offer from turbocharged 2,0-litre that is found in the current JCW.

Click here to see an exclusive Double Apex design of the original hot hatch.

Lightweight

Like its predecessors, we can expect the newest Mini JCW GP to shed excess mass, such the rear seats. The production version is unlikely to boast the extreme body kit sported by the concept car. Larger alloys, a more pronounced front splitter, larger air dams in a revised spoiler and a bigger rear wing are likely to be part of the road car’s bespoke appearance.

A stiffer suspension, along with semi-slick rubber could be part of the package. To deal with a power output of close to 200 kW the Mini JCW GP could be fitted with a limited-slip differential. Some reports out of Europe suggest that the new GP could even feature an all-wheel-drive layout, borrowed from the BMW X2, though we think that BMW will keep to the car’s ethos in this regard.