The John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit

j Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

ill be the first of many of us to say “i want it”

Matt Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

That looks like an aluminum body to me.

Ian Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

If they bring out something similar to that, EXCELLENT! It will certainly light a fire in the MINI community :)

tanya Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Please keep the rear seats. Please!! They fit, and only weigh 15kg tops. The Mini is a four-seater. That has always been an essential aspect of it’s design, and one of the things that makes in so distinctive as a relatively light SWB sports car. There are plenty of semi-affordable, very hot two seaters out there (MS Miata, S2000, Elise, Boxster, TT…) Unless there is a BMW V6 behind the front seats, removing the rears is just plain lazy… histotically heretical… and inevitable at this point, I guess… Damn! What effing idiots!!

LUcas Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Hey, if its the light weight version it doesn’t need rear seats!!

Anyway, those wheels are awesome! This cooper S looks way cool.

Derek Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Matt, my thoughts presactly…

doug Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

yea, that marker looks aluminium!

Allan Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

That looks dead sexy.

Bruce Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but I don’t think these are new sketches at all. Has anyone else noticed the number plate? The UK changed registration numbering schemes in September 2001, and under the current method used the sketch is showing a brand new 2002 MINI. Yes, 2002. (registered in Aberdeen, Scotland to be precise.)

The British public is keenly aware of vehicle registration numbering schemes, and any new sketch would have to be future-based, never a reason to use old license plates on a proposed new car. For that reason I am sure these are old sketches from nearly 4 years ago.

.

Gabe Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but I don’t think these are new sketches at all. Has anyone else noticed the number plate? The UK changed registration numbering schemes in September 2001, and under the current method used the sketch is showing a brand new 2002 MINI. Yes, 2002. (registered in Aberdeen, Scotland to be precise.)

Maybe… but I don’t think so. BMW sequentially numbers their photos based on when they are released. For instance the 20 or so photos before these two were of the MINI Concept Tokyo. The photos before that? BMW’s Frankfurt press images from September. I can guarantee that these two photos are meant for a press release that will be presented to the public this week.

Adam E Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Is that a side exit exhaust?!

vin. Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

The numbering on the registration plate may be old (or more likely, an inside joke by the artist/designer), but the headlights are the newer 2005+ non-HID design.

Like Gabe says, we’ll know soon enough.

dmcs Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Best looking rear wing/spoiler I’ve seen yet for the MINI. :-)

Ric Stofer Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

British plate or inside joke or both, the most interesting thing to me is that it is left hand drive!
four days:-)

Bruce Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Well, the dates that BMW decides to add new content to the press site does not necessarily have anything to do with when the images were created. Obviously they are aware that excitement can be created from time to time just by judicially adding new content to the press site. (witness this whole event)

In this case, the registration number used on the sketches is supposed, (in the British sense of a what a personalized license plate is), to clearly say: S-Works (out of SW02RKS). I mean you have to squint and be creative and ignore the “2″. However, the fact that a “2″ was used indicates a March 2002 registration. If these were new sketches they would very likely have a “6″ for a March 2006 number plate.

This 2 vs. 6 argument may seem silly, but again, the British public is very much aware of vehicle registration numbering and it is common knowledge how to decipher the year of a vehicle by the reg number. (made even easier since the years went to numeric — they were alpha coded prior to 2001). How much does year of vehicle registration factor into the British psyche? The UK new car market experiences two peak selling periods each year as the new number plate schemes become available each March and September. People actually delay the purchase of new cars until they new plates are available so they can proudly show off their new cars — as evidenced by the latest license plate codes. A sort of vehicle oneupmanship. (sort of like the way some Americans used to leave a new car window sticker on their cars to show others it’s a new car).

.

Kyle Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Two more reasons why these are new pictures.

1) The new headlights

and

2) Click on the 2nd picture, you can clearly see the signature of the artist and his dating, clearly showing “‘05.”

These are new pictures.

Kyle Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

* “New” headlights… not “nex” as my above post reads. *

Gabe Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Well, the dates that BMW decides to add new content to the press site does not necessarily have anything to do with when the images were created.

Well I’ve used the BMW press website for years and I’ve never seen them add older photos unless it was meant for a model retrospective like they recently released with the current 3 series. However these always feature actual photos and not sketches of unreleased versions. But I think vin makes the best arguement. Those are the new 2005 headlights.

Then take a look at the last name of the artist - “Schneider”. Not exactly a British name.

Finally check out the ‘05 date next to the name :)

Bruce Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Okay then. Their new sketches by a German who doesn’t know he should have used a “6″! :)

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Gabe Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Okay then. Their new sketches by a German who doesn’t know he should have used a “6″! :)

I could see that :)

O(=^=)O Capn Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Am I the only one that sees a big O around the Bonnet scoop?

First bonnet stripes(11 or ll) then the the checkmate U now a O what’s up? What is the tie in? LLUO? LOU

Just give me stipes.

O(=^=)O Capn Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

I Mean Stripes, forgot the r.

tany Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

Hey, if its the light weight version it doesn’t need rear seats!!

Why? I have no idea what you mean by this. BMW has not deleted rear seats on any lightweight versions of it’s cars that I know of.

BMW 3.0 CS - 4 Seats
BMW 3.0 CSL - 4 Seats

BMW M3 - 4 Seats
BMW M3 CSL - 4 Seats

And my favorite lightweight classic retained it’s rear seats as well.

Alfa Romeo GT Veloce - 4 Seats
Alfa Romeo GTA - 4 Seats

tanya Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

And the original E30 M3 - 4 friggin’ seats! Maybe a rear seat will be a $200 option. Please, Lord!

kad Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

individually numbered on the roof? womg yes!

Gabe Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

individually numbered on the roof? womg yes!

Yeah I thought that was a nice touch :)

Vanwall Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

I doubt if BMW re-engineered the lightweight for an aluminum body, altho selected panels could be present. I’m hoping they keep the rear seats as well, perhaps in a minimalist fashion that are quickly removable in a pinch. There is plenty of room to lighten the present design, and the MINI as a strictly two-seater goes against the basic premise of the original idea. I’m afraid it may be kicked up into some untenable racing classes as a competition car, but it would be the ultimate street MINI outta the box.

             BCNU,
           Rob in Dago

Allan Oct 23rd, 2005 Link

It’s not like I’m going to purchase the lightweight edition, but I hope that they will offer different colors for it. Unlike thevMC40 let’s have the customer pick what they should drive.

Bryn Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Wouldn’t the “2″ on the numberplate be there simply to signify part of the ‘model’ name, ie MINI Cooper S Works, Group 2.

If this IS the lightweight special edition, why is the drawing captioned as “kit” …? I tend to the opinion (guess!) that this is an artist’s impression of a racing car that an enthusiast could build by adding a list of JCW aftermarket parts inc. that radical spoiler and wheels. Possibly it’s a showcase for an approved kit to be used in another racing series for modified - MINIs - to run alongside, or as a step up from the John Cooper Challenge (hence Group 2 = modified as opposed to Challenge cars which are, effectively, only Group 1 = ’standard’). Just a thought.

Also, if this IS the lightweight model, I’d expect to see some Bertone badging. After all, that is a prestige name and a selling point worth promoting in any pre-launch visual.

On the other hand, this could all be rubbish by the end of the week!

Greg W Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Things that make you go Mmmm…can’t wait for the official announcement.

Mark Pierce Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Regarding the SW02RKS number plate, it is a private plate owned by John Cooper Garages which they use on their demonstrators. It is currently on a Silver Cooper S Convertible. I see it most mornings.

Bryn Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Thanks, Mark. Number plate mystery solved….

fj0 Oct 24th, 2005 Link

That is so sexy, give it to me!

mcswrks Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Maybe the “2″ was thrown in for the GP2 designation?

David Bunting Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Interesting that the aero kit doesn’t appear to have been painted to match the side moldings (which remain black) or that the side moldings haven’t been painted to match up better with the aero kit.

Also interesting that the second sketch shows a seam running down the length of the roof.

Zeke Oct 24th, 2005 Link

The two seat thing is a major hangup for me also. If we were talking about a lightweight MINI, everything that we’ve heard about so far (perhaps with a slightly lower price tag ;-) ), but keeping the rear seats, then I was be SO GAME.

I even like the wing on this sketch, and that is saying something.

Coopersport.ca Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Where did the Windshield Wipers go! Talk about a fairweather MINI.

lol

Jason.

David Bunting Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Possible GP2 Interior Sketch

I just came across this photo that was in the MINI press area for the Tokyo Concept.

Clearly it isn’t the Tokyo/Traveller Concept. The photo shows a two seater interior, complete with the rear seats deleted, no rear seat belts, a rear stress bar, and a helmet in the back.

Gabe Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Nice Dave. I saw that lastnight and totally forgot about even opening up the download ZIP I grabbed! I’ll post a larger photo in the story.

Tony T Oct 24th, 2005 Link

you can’t build a car without windscreen wipers….

so to me this is just a skecth, nothing more. Certainly not accurate.

Quite like the rear wing, but would be happier if it were standing up higher.

There seems to be a power hump in the bonnet - much more so than the real thing - why? There are no components that need it, and you would have to redesign the whole clamshell unit and thats supposed to be the most expensive body component?

Whilst I think about it too, the second picture is badly drawn - the scoop isn’t central to the bonnet - I don’t think this is professional enough to look like a real design image. Same with the roof - why would you have a centreline on the roof - theres way too much headroom in the Mini, and i can’t see them needing to lower the roof line so not needing this effect at all.

I am interested in the front bumper detail - ditching unused front fog lamps in preference to what look like vents - possibly cool air ducting for the brakes…?

Large 4 spoke wheels are a joke - they look great on artists impressions but terrible in the flesh. Make the car look like it has some kind of ‘wagon wheels’.

Too many designers out there putting there ideas on the web - which is what I think this is…. but who knows really..?

David Bunting Oct 24th, 2005 Link

You make it sound as though these sketches first showed up in Auto Express, not the official BMW/MINI Press area.

Seth L Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Large 4 spoke wheels are a joke - they look great on artists impressions but terrible in the flesh. Make the car look like it has some kind of ‘wagon wheels’.

I find this to be true in a lot of cases, but looking at that picture, I really want those wheels.

Sad Arthur Oct 24th, 2005 Link

I think those are front brake cooling ducts on the lower air dam! Exciting!

I saw the retrofitted ducts that take the place of the fog lights on the Newfie Targa MINI and thought that would make a nice retrofit project. Now if only I was handy instead of just handsome!

greg Oct 24th, 2005 Link

To quote Shakespere, “Much Ado about Nothing”.

TBH Oct 24th, 2005 Link

For those demanding a rear seat or complaining by the possible lack of, you are missing the point behind this model. I see this as a vehicle intended to be a turnkey racer designed for a limited audience. You will see the majority of these strapped to a trailer in tow behind some behemoth truck on its way to beat up on M3’s and 911’s. This is not your Dad’s commuter. Just my 2 cents.

MINIMiller Oct 24th, 2005 Link

If this was truly a MINI lightweight concept for a two seater then why did the artist leave the rear seatbelt slot in the drawing (look at the “C” pillar)?

JiminVirginia Oct 24th, 2005 Link

It’s just a sketch, which means nothing. There are a zillion sketches around, and how many of them turn out to be EXACTLY like a developmental car that appears later?

I do share your view that the eventual lightweight will use a lot of JCW hardware, though. Why produce a 200+ hp car that uses competing hardware when you already have it pproduced “in house” and you’re promoting it? So in some sense the lightweight has got to be a JCW vehicle, except for Italian styling (apparently).

How to save weight? Doors, hood/front fender assembly, windows, exhaust, wheels, I bet. Very doable. Not revolutionary, but a nice package. They could redo a few suspension parts, but I wonder if they will go even that far.

David Bunting Oct 24th, 2005 Link

It’s just a sketch, which means nothing. There are a zillion sketches around, and how many of them turn out to be EXACTLY like a developmental car that appears later?

We have two recent examples of sketches from MINI (the Frankfurt and the Tokyo Concepts). Both sets of sketches were released on the BMW Press Site just prior to the public display. I’d say both sets of sketches turned out to be accurate representations of what the finished product looked like when it was shown.

Brushing these off as “just sketches”, misses both the source (the BMW press site) and the timing.

Bill Lawrence Oct 24th, 2005 Link

I wish I had a kid, so I could sell him into slavery, in exchange for a set of those wheels! :D

Mark Oct 24th, 2005 Link

No one can fit in the rear seats anyway, i say ditch them!!

fdavid Oct 24th, 2005 Link

If they make a spoiler kit similar to this one. I would line up for buying one of them. I still have the original body because I am not fully convinced by any of the options including the aero kit because the rear bumper looks quite odd. Instead, this option would be quite a beauty.
About the wheels, this is a sketch and as a sketch it should remain. I bet if they made a similar wheel it would look awful. Some things should stay as a concept becuse they tend generate discussion and develop fresh ideas.

Chris Oct 24th, 2005 Link

What, no Recaro seats? I REALLY hope they offer the JCW seats in the US market, or I’m gonna be pissed!

Also, if memory serves, this is suppose to have 225hp?

If they can manage to get the weight down near 2200lbs, then this should be a WHOOOOLE different beast than the current MCS.

Yes please!

Rm2k5

GMINI Oct 24th, 2005 Link

The Light Weight, we will find all too soon, will look exactly like these sketches but with it’s headlights flat on the hood ,just in front of the windshield.

Berthil Oct 24th, 2005 Link

For the record, I posted this already yesterday on mini2.comThe first two were with the correct title (so not concept) on the German Press section of BMW, the interior drawing popped up later.

tanya Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Duly noted in the record, Berthil.

Revhed Oct 24th, 2005 Link

I find it hard to believe that they would put so much effort into producing such a focused, lightweight machine and NOT put decent sports seats in it…

GMINI Oct 24th, 2005 Link

airbags. intonation of possible U.S. destination…

sca Oct 24th, 2005 Link

Can the “GP 0782″ clearly visible on the 1st photo possibly refer to the 782nd car produced of a limited production run vehicle? This fits with the idea of a limited run lightweight….

Bryn Oct 25th, 2005 Link

The fastest off-the-shelf Cooper S ever is on the way… Hoorah!

Bryn Oct 29th, 2005 Link

Crunch crunch crunch - (just seen the first pics of the real thing and..) crunch crunch. That’s the sound of me eating my words.