New MINI GP to pump out 225kW

UPDATE 14/02/2019 10:00am: We've managed to source a handful of spy photos of the new 2020 MINI JCW GP in transit.

The development car wears different wheels to the signature four-spoke wheels teased in the official photos but that colossal rear spoiler is clear as day.

The flared wheel guards are also visible in the spy shots from Germany but the ludicrously huge front splitter seen in the 2017 MINI GP concept appears to have been scotched from the production model.

Even so, the MINI GP has a sporty body kit and appears to sit lower to the ground too.

The photos also show massive front brakes filling out the large alloy wheels which should help if (when?) the world's most powerful MINI takes on the Nurburging.

It will be fascinating to see if it sets a new lap record for a front-drive production vehicle at the 'Ring in Germany.

The saying 'always save your best 'til last' couldn’t be more apt for the upcoming MINI JCW GP model.

The final hero car for the current-generation MINI hatch before a new model arrives in less than two years, MINI today confirmed the GP will be the most powerful car the brand has ever built.

The 2020 MINI GP's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine will generate at least 220kW (300hp), according to the car-maker.

The hot little track-attack tool will belt out significantly more power than its predecessors – and potentially more than league leaders like the 224kW Honda Civic Type R – thanks to a sizzling hot four banger under the bonnet.

Understood to be a development of the B48 engine used in sister brand BMW's X2 M35i, the MINI JCW GP is expected to generate an impressive 225kW and 450Nm of torque.

Limited to just 3000 units globally, three teaser images of the new MINI GP have been released, with the full reveal expected to occur at the 2019 Geneva motor show in March before deliveries start in 2020.

Although MINI is coy on further details, including the exterior design, it is likely the GP's 225kW power punch will be channeled through a six-speed manual transmission to the front wheels.

The whole shebang will combine with uprated tyres, wheels, brakes, suspension, an expected lighter kerb weight and – if the previous MINI GP is anything to go by – the removal of the rear seats and implementation of a body-reinforcing strut bar.

In 2017 the MINI JCW GP concept was shown (pictured below) as a preview for this production car. At the time its huge rear wing and massive front splitter were seen as artistic license, flights of fancy if you will.

However, based on the three teaser photos it's clear the wild roof spoiler will be part of the package.

Signature 'flow-formed' lightweight alloy wheels are in evidence as are pumped wheel arches that appear to be finished in exposed weave carbon-fibre.

Together with large diameter exhaust pipes, the new hot hatch will be about as subtle as a fire alarm going off in a hushed library.

It's not clear how many MINI GP hot hatches will be coming to Australia but of the previous model's global run of 2000 units saw 55 cars shipped to Oz, priced at $57,000 apiece.

"It's really early in the timeline to confirm anything beyond MINI Australia expressing interest in securing an allocation of the 3000 global production run," MINI Australia's product communications manager told carsales.com.au.

"The last-gen proved popular enough to boost an initial 30 allocated vehicles to 55 here, and the JCW variants currently on offer continue to do well."

The first MINI GP hot hatch was launched internationally in 2006, essentially a 'GP kit' that was available for the MINI Cooper S JWC. In 2013 the MINI JCW GP or 'GP2' was a standalone model.

If past experience is anything to go by, whereby every single MINI GP model was sold before the car's official market launch, the new model will be hot property when it arrives in 2020.