2020 Mini JCW GP Review: It's WILD! | Carfection 4K 

The fake aero and air scoops kills it for me. Fake stuff? In a GP?

1250kg on a 2 seater MINI. The auto market is done for good, Gordon Murray please save us all

So... My manual normal JCW then!

Minis have completely ceased to be Minis at this point. 1255kg is ridiculously plump for a Mini

I have owned #1462 for a week and absolutely love the GP3. It's my first Mini Cooper. It's a balance of raw power, comfort, and style. Its a great handling car for twisty roads and flys when you step on the throttle. Just hold on tight to the steering wheel. I only wish the exhaust was more aggressive.

If Henry reviewed a kettle, I'd still watch it. It makes my day to see you on screen man. You're the best!

drove one around the Cotwolds today. Absolutely loved it blisteringly quick. The diff is fantastic grip very good and such a handful to drive and entertaining. A++++

The Clubman JCW with the same front mechanicals, brakes and stiffening but AWD makes a lot more sense. I'd be interested to hear a review of that.

Apparently the teenager who designed the Civic Type R has taken a position with Mini.

As much hate as it gets, I would still love to drive one

why all this haters comments about the car, if you don´t have any smart or nice to say i think better be quite. I have 2 Mclarens and 2 mini cooper S and soon 3 Mini including this cool GP3 and have to say that the minis are as fun to drive as the Mclarens specially on a track. it seems that many of the comments here hasn´t understood the meaning of the car and what it is built for. So for all of you who cant afford it or doesn´t understands it please just say nothing. And for you who dont think it is fast enough it made the same time on nurburgring when it came out as the previous Porsche GT3 did. I know for sure i will have many great hours behind that steering wheel.

that just seems like horrible value plus all those fake attributes, why???

It’s at its best in Cooper S form. It’s reasonably priced, plenty quick enough, and its performance doesn’t overwhelm its chassis.

Another stunning beauty from the BMW design team 😝 Why these people still have jobs, and why these cars evn sell, is a mystery to me!

A luggage brace posing as a strut brace...?? This car is a triumph of faux-style over substance.

I can't stand fake "go faster" bits - they just undermine any positives in a car... Not that there are many of those here. Give me a good old-fashioned Renaultsport 182 Trophy over this every time.

Fake times. We are really in it. 15 years ago, a r26 did not trayed to show more than it was. Today, any car have this ridiculous vibe. Design should embrace function

I love carfection, but it bothers me that you never reviewed the I30 N, which I bet is a hotter hatch than this mini. For instance, a couple of months back i was choosing between an M2C and a A45 S for my next car and I was waiting for you guys to do a video on the merc, but you never did. I owned a facelift A45 back then and now an M2C, Im happy i made the right choice after all but still i was pretty curious back then

I respect HP, but Gordon Murray would frankly laugh after his nice T50 review where lightness and simplicity were lauded.

"... the presence of a supercar" lolno, don't kid yourself

Oh dear sounds like they concentrated on the wrong things, like looks - such a disappointment

My JCW, with its 208 lb-ft torque and manual box, is lots of fun and well-balanced. I’m not sure I would find this new version more desirable. In fact I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t. Thanks for the review Henry.

I saw one of these around the scottish border last week when we had the storm... I bet that was a handful 😳

@henry catchpole Can you get it on track for a follow up article? Thanks as always for a top notch feature and i appreciate your no BS reporting.

So Henry, what would you get as an alternative for the same money, new or old?

Great little hatch. They'll sell out.

Cleaning behind those slats 😑

The original Mini Cooper was and still is an iconic car The “new” mini has never come close with nigh on every one a Cooper of some type with a white roof. And now this. John Cooper must be turning in his grave. ☹️☹️

The taillights are absolutely brilliant. You can’t tell me otherwise

What a god-awful car.

I hate to be one of those arm chair car designers, of which there are many here. But I can't help think they should have focused more on road performance than track performance. I've heard these are brilliant on track. Personally I think they should have turned down the aero, took off about 50bhp and 50ft ibs and offered both manual and auto transmissions. As the owner of an F56 Cooper S I know these cars have potential. I think the main issue is they didn't want to just remake the older Mini JCW challenge from 2015. Not to be confused with the Cooper S challenge 210

I am a Mini Countryman Cooper S JCW... and love mine and its taken a lot to get used to - its very responsive (like all BMW's) and has a short wheel base so corners will handle differently to mid frame cars.... they are fun around City's and Counrysides you can park it anywhere and they all have character - love them or hate them they are not the fastest car on the road and don't claim to be ... but they are fun to own and drive

What a great review henry!!

Unfortunately that's the way the car industry is going. More looks and less actual driving prowess. Or for example Mercedes muddying the waters by offering low end AMGs. I can't stand to see that.

I like it, seems like a lot of fun.

Thanks for a great straightforward review!

Riced from the factory. Nice!

Was it running on pirellis?

The car is basically fake. Mini you are drunk.

Actually there are modes, you just didn't find the toggle.

This car needs a manual option, period. Mini are you listening? Great review by the way. Carfection should have 2million subs, let's all help them get there.

Still drive and love my '06 MCS. Was looking to upgrade to the new model after all these years, but I am not sold on this one. Maybe the JCW version is the one I should look at.

You said the steering wheel paddles are 3D printed, are they real metal? What are they made of?

They lost me at "automatic" 🤦‍♂️

all the comments bashing it and its here beating a honda civic type r lmao

I don't think the automatic gearbox would deter me. Prevents money shifts, shifts faster, less sustained redline, and it's more "idiotproof" imo.

So this is just a quick and expensive ricer from the factory, huh. Great review as always tho!

I feel like they should have made this as wild as they could. Like by giving it the engine and 4WD system of the new M140i and about 330BHP

Form over function with this Mini? Great video as always, but for some reason, your videos no longer show up on my feed.

Henry, great honest review. But if you only had £5k to spend on one car. What would you get?

Sounds similar to the BMW Supra on the inside, same system of sound through the speakers ?

Where is this stretch of road? Seems like a good place for hatchbacks to have some fun

the title of this video seems misleading once you watch it

Would you have this over your Clio 182 on a twisty backroad?

The girls are really gonna enjoy it!

This will appeal to the masses who just like to drive fast in a straight line!

Thank god for my Renault megane rs rb8

As always great job, and big thanks!!!

I smile while I'm laughing at it . This thing is as ridiculous as a civic type R . Automatic only? That makes me smile (laugh) even more lol

Is that a 135i with a Mini body kit?

Il stick with my manual R56 JCW I think haha nothing handles like an R53 though god they’re brilliant for handling.

Can’t wait for a 4WD DCT Mini one day...

Lots of adverse comments from people who will never have the pleasure of driving this FUN little car which is engaging and a brave concept. If you pessimistic people carry on with this attitude to modern car design, all cars will be Silver and Bland

I’d find it hard to overlook the prospect of a Gti Clubsport S for the same money.

Anyone else get the distinct feeling that the balance of corporate influence over at BMW/Mini is swung a little too heavily toward marketing and away from engineers at the moment?

The way he walks. I CANNOT.

Hope Henry Can take it to the Track, perhaps it’s quite a different animal there, though the gear speed seems like it need serious adjustment.

I’m a bit confused why a car in 2020 would have an antenna and not that little fin on the roof.

Henry - in your opinion what is the max horsepower a front wheel powered car should have - to avoid unacceptable torque-steer?

After all the hype with the concept car MINI ended up with this ? I remember several people cancelling their orders & asking for their deposits to be refunded once they realised this 3rd version looked like a tart’s handbag 👜 & who could blame them. As an owner of five JCW’s & a GP2, I decided it was time to go & look for an original, unmolested Mk1 Mini Cooper S. My search ended yesterday with a “time machine”, a car with incredible provenance & it’s arriving next week. I could have bought a GP3 for the same price but after almost 50 years I’m going back to my youth and boy oh boy am I a happy man 😀.

Which is better this GP or a mk7.5 golf R with great suspension (coilovers, fsb/rsb, etc)?

I love my one ,yes it takes committed driver with skill to drive it fast ,but fuck me isn’t it exciting, every time you drive it, you think my God this thing is quick.

Very cool, I like it, always loved the look of the GP, shame about the handling,

If you’re type to the buy one of these then all the bad points won’t matter, as you won’t have a clue 🤔

Are there any metal wheels that aren't an alloy?

I guess so many ratios gives such a small change in revs per click on the downshift; perhaps in 'sport' mode it should drop 2 cogs at a time...only, it needs a 'sport' mode...

Does it let you left foot brake I wonder?

How do you compare with megane RS cup?

I imagine driving this like the toad would. Fancy cap and crazy speed.

Great review as always. What have they done to the JCW 🙄

Can you guys please do the new skoda Octavia Vrs?

The wheel arches look like what happens if you fast forward 4 years into Mini ownership. They do make great newspaper holders though👍

When are you going to review the C8?

Nice looking pocket rocket 4 sure! Would like to race it on a swiss mountain road with my 420NM Giulietta😍🤙🏽

If that mini rides good then the new gr yaris must drive absolutely perfect regardless good review all the same

You’ve convinced me that I need to remove the backseat from my Hyundai Accent.

My everyday driver is a BMW Z4 I would never normally look at a car like this , however this car is pretty cool looking ! I'd prefer it without the gigantic Wing though, it's just not sophisticated looking. It still looks like something that Ford or Honda would do.

This car should be crushed just for the fake bonnet scoop alone.

If you want a fwd hot hatch, why not get a Cupra? Same speed (marginally faster to 60), more seats and will outperform the Mini on track while not looking so garish. Plus the price! this thing is more than 30k for a mini.

*This against Yaris GR would be amazing*

I love my R53: supercharged, 6 speed manual that have ceased to exist.

Made the wing just to fit the antenna

Make a video of the new 911 with manual gearbox pleaseee

front break disc looks so big.?

I owned it for a bit more then 8 weeks before I sold it. It’s promising more then it gives to you. A few rounds at Hockenheim and the front tires are done, it’s jumping and hopping for no reason, because it’s not that hard in corners, the transmission feels soft, I would need a quality like a PDK or manual shifter.... for a two seater all day driver it’s still a good offer, as tracktool ...not.

OK pete.... so u explain the automatic diff locks in unnecessary..... switch it off and actually drive it.... also tge aero of wheel arches will give extra down force and its not a strut brace as u say its just a brace to stiff up the middle of car wich is most flexible

I know it's maybe more show than go, but it does kind of speak to me. Seems all A class AMGs, Megane RSs and Golf GTIs have become a bit too capable and serious for their own good. This at least has some character, even if it is by being less than perfect. Maybe a manual normal JCW is the sweet spot though.

I’ve had two GPs, a Gen 1 and a Gen 2, both from new. The auto box on the new one killed it for me. I was offered a drive the new car yesterday and didn’t even bother.... there was no point.

I don’t even know what to say or think about this car.... And I thought the type r was terrible but at least it has a manual transmission

I don't mind they offer a auto but come on a mini without a manual is just weird, i was wanting this when i found out but when i found out it wasn't manual was a shame, got myself a gti clubsport s now so its not too bad