2021 Mini John Cooper Works GP Performance

The 2021 Mini John Cooper Works GP is easily the quickest Mini you can buy. Its BMW-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot delivers a strong 301 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Those are healthy increases over the 228 hp/235 lb-ft outputs of the John Cooper Works. However, unlike its less powerful sibling, the Mini JCW GP only comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This helps it accelerate from 0-60 in five seconds dead, and the hottest Mini yet will sail on to a top speed of 165 mph. That makes it one of the fastest front-wheel-drive cars in the world. The FWD hot hatch champion, the Honda Civic Type R, is similarly rapid. If your choice of transportation doesn't have to be a hatchback, consider the new Audi S3, which, at a similar price, is even faster thanks to its all-wheel-drive grip.

The 2.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 2021 Mini JCW GP packs a ton of power for such a small hatchback at 301 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Compared with the John Cooper Works, a newly developed turbocharger and modifications like a reinforced crankshaft help deliver the increased outputs. A model-specific eight-speed Steptronic transmission will disappoint those wanting to row their own gears, but the gearbox does at least provide standard paddle shifters for those who want more control over proceedings. However, in this manual mode, responsiveness is merely average. Left to its own devices, the transmission's upshifts are pleasingly rapid, and it's equally at ease whether driving aggressively or pottering around town.

The turbocharged motor provides tremendous power off the mark and on the move, but you do need to be careful with the throttle in to make smooth progress, which is where the non-GP Minis have an edge. This one can feel overpowered at times, and the engine note isn't especially engaging, even with the sporty exhaust system. On paper, this is the most effective Mini available, but in reality, it'd be even better with a manual gearbox.

Compared with the regular JCW, the Mini GP unsurprisingly proves a bit heavier in terms of its gas mileage. It will manage EPA estimates of 24/30/26 miles per gallon compared to the JCW automatic's 26/34/29 mpg. The GP is a bit more efficient than the Honda Civic Type R, though, which has the latest-available figures of 22/28/25 mpg. With a gas tank size of just 11.6 gallons, the GP will travel a combined range of just over 300 miles before running on empty.