MINI Asia and Eurokars Habitat announced that all eight units of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP, the fastest model of the British brand that has ever been approved for road use, are now in Singapore and have been reserved.

An intense, purist race feeling is conveyed by what is by far the most powerful engine ever to be used in a three-Door model of the brand, suspension technology that is fine-tuned based on John Cooper Works' comprehensive racing expertise, and a body that is optimised in terms of lightweight construction, torsional stiffness and aerodynamics.

On both road and racetrack, this combination has been a constant source of sporting highlights - from the first Mini Cooper and winning the British Touring Car Championship to the three overall victories in the Monte Carlo Rally, the MINI Challenge racing series, achievements in the Dakar Rally and the latest generation of the John Cooper Works models.

As such, the outstanding position of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP is even more clearly defined than that of the extreme athletes of the two previous MINI model generations, each of which was manufactured in a small series of 2,000 units.

The body of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP, which has been modified in detail, primarily optimises the car's aerodynamic balance and the targeted supply of cooling air to the drive units and brake system.

The large roof spoiler with double wing contours, model-specific design of the front apron surround (known as the Blackband), and the front spoiler lip of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP form a precisely coordinated package designed to reduce lift. With its reversed wing profile, it generates maximum downforce with the lowest possible aerodynamic drag in order to press the vehicle onto the road at high speeds.

The visually unmistakable features that are important to the car's aerodynamic properties also include the large and strikingly flared wheel arch trims. They make it possible to combine the use of very large track widths and wide wheels with optimised air ducting in the side section of the vehicle.

The four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine features the latest generation of MINI TwinPower Turbo technology, and delivers 302bhp and 450Nm of torque. This allows the car to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 5.2 seconds, and onto an unrestricted top speed of 265km/h.

Model-specific modifications include a reinforced crankshaft with an enlarged main bearing diameter, specific pistons, bushless connecting rods and a new torsional vibration damper with optimised cooling.

Two external coolant coolers for the high-temperature circuit, a model-specific expansion tank with increased volume, a specifically designed coolant module storage system and an electric fan with increased output ensure that the engine maintains its optimum operating temperature at all times - even under high loads and with an extremely sporty driving style.

The new MINI John Cooper Works GP is fitted as standard with a model-specific eight-speed Steptronic transmission, complete with an integrated differential lock and matched to the engine's performance characteristics and high torque.

The mechanical differential lock integrated in the transmission ensures that the drive torque is distributed between the right and left front wheels so as to promote traction during particularly dynamic cornering. It is networked with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system and acts as a transverse lock to reduce the speed difference between the front wheels.

The spontaneous development of power and the unbridled revving of the engine are underscored by the emotionally striking sound production of the exhaust system, which also was developed specifically for the model.

The straight pipe ducting of the exhaust system leads into a particularly large rear silencer with a specific interior design. From there, two tailpipes with matt brushed stainless steel trim and a diameter of 90mm each branch off centrally into the rear apron.

With model-specific kinematics and elastokinematics, the suspension technology of the new MINI John Cooper Works GP opens up a whole new dimension of the characteristic go-kart feeling.

In order to increase agility, the track widths were increased and the body lowered by 10mm as compared to the MINI John Cooper Works. The standard functions of the electromechanical power steering include speed-related steering support for maximum precision when cornering at speed while retaining comfortable manoeuvring at low speeds. As an alternative to the standard setting, the DSC also offers a GP mode that raises the thresholds for stabilising interventions on the part of the braking system and engine control system, which can be activated by means of a toggle switch.