MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept - IAA 2017 Live

The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept that was revealed on September 6 makes its debut at the IAA 2017 in Frankfurt. It is inspired by MINI's triumphs in the Monte Carlo Rally 50 years ago. The concept brings about heavy cosmetic updates to aid aerodynamics and a race centric interior treatment.

It features large front and rear aprons and side skirts along with an oversized rear spoiler. Overall, the MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept is much wider than the standard MINI Cooper. Large air intakes and precisely moulded air deflectors are the dominating features of the nose of the car. It gets Carbon-fibre side skirts and 19-inch Racetrack lightweight wheels with a multi-spoke design. The half-Union Jack on LED glow pattern of the tail lamps on each side highlights the car’s British origins. The quintessential MINI design elements remain in the form of circular headlamps and hexagonal radiator grille. MINI has gone with a Black Jack Anthracite exterior paint finish with Curbside Red metallic accents.

Keeping in line with the car's racing intentions, the interior has been stripped down. Notable features include a roll cage along with a pair of low-mounted bucket seats with five-point belts. There's a simple digital instrument panel and a head-up display as well. The car is driven by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

MINI has not revealed details related to performance upgrades, if at all any. The MINI John Cooper Works GP Concept is merely a design study and is unlikely to make it to production, at least not in this form. A limited edition version, albeit heavily pared down, similar to 2012's MINI John Cooper Works GP could be on the cards though.