R53 COOPER S WITH JOHN COOPER WORKS GP KIT

Hot hatch specials are two a penny these days, with manufacturers thinking nothing of junking non-essential standard kit – even the rear seats – to up the performance, tighten the handling and increase the presence of their models at track days across the country. But back in 2006, the idea of a numbered, two-seater version of the R53 MINI Cooper S, with unique suspension and body kit, seemed nothing but a rumour throughout first-generation MINI production. However, when the GP was confirmed at the 2006 MINI United event in Misano, Italy, all the UK cars quickly sold out. Owners liked the giant-killing package, and in fact, it worked so well that BMW brought back the GP for the second-generation MINI in 2012, and more recently again in 2020, with the fastest yet, based on the current third-generation F56 hatch.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Launched in Summer 2006, just one version of the R53 Cooper S with John Cooper Works (JCW) GP kit, to give it its full name, was available. Power came courtesy of the Cooper S’ supercharged 1.6-litre