John Cooper Works GP

Make
Mini
Segment
Hatchback

The Mini John Cooper Works GP is one seriously focused track machine. In fact, it's the most powerful Mini ever made. It sounds pretty good for a four-pot too, and if you're not careful, all the power it produces can cause a bit of a crash. With aggressive carbon fiber trimmings and aero enhancements, it's the kind of car that belongs at a track, where it's most at home. But Mini's best road racer is not so hardcore that you can't take it onto some slippery surfaces, as the British automaker has just demonstrated in recent photos.

Mini recently took a JCW Clubman to Lapland, showing what the AWD family car is capable of in the snow, but the brand has released high-performance winter tires developed by Hankook for the GP version of the Mini Hardtop too, and although it won't be as grippy as the Clubman, the special compound certainly helps you have as much fun as possible.

The tires are called i*cept Evo 2 and are provided in a 195/45 sizing for the model-specific light-alloy 18-inch wheels. Mini says that these special tires ensure "hallmark Mini agility and precise handling characteristics in demanding winter road conditions."

Of course, the Mini JCW GP will still have a hard time putting its 301 horsepower to the ground and won't be able to replicate its five-second-flat 0-60 mph time on the snow, but with only 3,000 examples of the special edition being produced, we'd be surprised to see anyone drive the car in anger during adverse weather conditions. Still, with a mechanical differential lock and a clever stability management program, those who do like to use their cars all year round will be happy to know that the Mini JCW GP is not undrivable when the going gets tough.