The 2021 Mini Cooper JCW GP is an Abusive Riding, Torque-Steer Prone Hot Hatch

Behold, the most powerful production Mini ever. The #CooperJCWGP makes it’s return this year with the same BMW M-tuned 301 HP 2.0L turbocharged engines. While this motor puts power to all 4 wheels on certain BMW’s, the #MiniCooperGP makes do with only FWD and an 8-speed automatic. The #JohnCooperWorksGP will also be a rare sight on the roads with only so many being imported to the US.
We're also on:
Instagram: / redline_reviews
Facebook: / liketheredline
Twitter: / tweettheredline

[@theredline]

The Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Grand Prix has a name that could be longer than the actual car... But we love how Mini has stuffed a 300+ HP engine into something that is the size of a shoe with the weight of a feather. Too bad they didn't give it AWD or the manual transmission that could have made this even more appealing. You'll be part of an exclusive club with this car, as long as you can deal with one of the stiffest rides we've ever experience in a brand new car so far.

[@braetonwilson4296]

It's a testament to Sofyan's exceptional driving prowess that he could even drive this Mini with all that torque steer. I think an average driver would have lost the battle with the steering wheel and crashed. It's scary!

[@zatchsmp3262]

Do you feel like the Miata is just as abusive and exhausting to drive? Especially as a daily?

[@brandonfortenberry8696]

The input shaft splines on the manual trans is tiny, BMW didn't want to spend the r&d to created a stronger manual transmission for only 3000 units. I made well over 320 torque to the wheels and have shredded a few center plates of some clutches because of the tiny teeth on the shaft

[@raver208]

You want a luxury ride, go buy a Mercedes C-Class or a BMW 230i, or better yet a Camry. People shopping a JCW GP Works likely know what kind of vehicle and ride to expect. Shame about the lack of a proper 6M....hopefully a suro tuning shop will perfomr a custom swap at some point.

[@jamesmirfin5660]

I am still amazed at people reviewing this car. A track focused car with a hard ride and not loads of equipment?! It’s very expensive for a Mini I hear them say, it’s a BMW. This car goes round the ring faster than a BMW M2 .

[@soulmaster63]

In a sea of trucks and SUVs, it’s refreshing to see an “old school “ hot hatch that maintains some personality with a firm ride and a dose of entertaining torque steer. More people will appreciate this car and all of its perfect imperfections in coming years. I purchased #2419 and giggle with each mile 😂

[@Treizez34]

I like the idea of torque steer. Cars have taken so much of driving out of the hands of driver's these days. It's refreshing

[@22Kevi]

I cannot accept this car with those fenders. They definitely look like an after thought.

[@miguelircontar]

💯

[@typerfk8]

I test drove one and I loved it, I'm getting one. the torque steer was not even that bad or noticeable, . The ride was not bad either, my old STI was WORSE. I drove the car on rough NJ roads and the old RT1 bridge over the Raritan lol.... actually got the car up to 101 over that bridge without even trying... I did not meant to lol. The beauty of this car is the power to weight ratio and how amazing it handles from the factory. Feels like a circuit special, I like buying cars like these.

[@sunburn8640]

I really respect and appreciate your honesty. You did not hold back any of your grievances with this thing. Thanks for having some balls and telling it like it really is instead of being a sheep like most other KZbinrs that just drink the Kool Aid and repeat all the talking points, good and bad, that were previously stated many times over.

[@cigarjefe]

As a Mini enthusiast, I approve.

[@limpunsing224]

Nice to have another upload that is not F-150 Lightning

[@bigmarkdarula]

They get paid alot by ford to push their products

[@faustoromero8306]

I like when you start by introducing the powertrain specs first.

[@richieduck67]

Love the description Sofyan

[@MattCC16Gaming]

Very looking interesting trim! Definitely has character, not sure if its my type. I don't think the carbon fiber on the exterior looks too good, it kinda looks aftermarket and tacky, but definitely unique. Cool that you reviewed this!

[@richardfairservice]

That number is the worldwide production number so 303 of 3000. Not a strengthen brace, it is a cargo bar, just like the previous GP models.

[@cjb8764]

Constant fighting, fake induction noice and abusive ride 👀 Hello future X-Wife.

[@charletfoster8917]

Best of the Minis🤩💯

[@southshore0007]

Its looks good in the sunlight

[@rightlanehog3151]

The rest of the undeserving world gets the AWD GR Yaris , we get a selection of torque steering FWD hot hatches.

[@typer600rr7]

Next year they will be like oh they don’t sell well we will stop making hatches ..........

[@harvardford8752]

It’s because in America, people only purchase SUVs. In Europe and everywhere else people love their sedans hatchbacks and shooting brakes. Minis don’t have sedans to sell to begin with and only has the ugly ass country man as the SUV. So of course they’d be forced to sell Us the Mini Cooper JCW haha.

[@bbkangs]

You could get a JCW countryman… 300 hp and AWD

[@-Scraps-]

The Mini Clubman is AWD, 306hp, 331lb-ft, and 0-60 in mid 4’s.

[@Victic005]

It's for the FWD Fanboys.

[@mattwoollam9780]

I LOVE the carbon fiber fender flares!!! It's definitely something that'll stand out!! It's a first and not necessarily bad!!!

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

0-60 in 4.7s. It's a 2855 lbs car with 300+ hp, it is going to be a handful regardless of drive. I wouldn't want it to have awd, I prefer the light weight.

[@leom00n79]

Hi Sofyan. Can you also please review the newly refreshed Mini Cooper S 2022. It’s my dream car and I would love to hear what you have to say. My other option is the Mazda 3 Hatchback Turbo which you already reviewed. Thank you for your time and energy. ☺️

[@minimafia7616]

Yes you are right it’s little bit scary car and it’s not for everyone I have 2 off them and we Daily drive them we survive first winter in Chicago it was fun with snow tires. You are absolutely right it’s the best hot hatch you could buy everyday I sit inside and drive I have a smile on my face. We taking or GP3 on track and they perform really well. Love the car I am happy I get 2 off them one off the best fun car I ever owned.

[@ylafla]

I have #1394 and I love this car. I installed the new MSS suspension on it and it rides even better and not as stiff. People that don’t like this car has never experience the ride. Can’t you see the look in this guys face every time he pushes the pedal to the metal. His face lights up like a kid in a candy store. Congrats on the 2 GP purchase.

[@eklektikTechno]

Minus the childish wing I love it!!!!

[@gloomyxyz]

Extremely fun car and toss-able. But definitely firm ride on a less than smooth road.

[@wompa70]

Pretty cool car. Though I’d still take a Veloster N.

[@johnwjeromejr]

The GP reminds me of my 2008 Mazdaspeed 3 - torque steer (mine was not as bad), stiff ride, and nearly as fast (0-60 in 5.4 seconds) as the GP but at less than half the cost new (I paid just over $20K), better exhaust note, two more doors, and a back seat. I had a more conventional rear spoiler, not the wonky ones on the Mini.

[@brianheffernan8982]

The fender flares look like a low budget after thought.

[@zackarylading9666]

“GP comin at chya” if you know, you know

[@Viral__TV]

now you know im gonna got chya

[@lamboguy188]

Those tail lights are stunning

[@zatharos6427]

4:12 the GP1 and that whole first generation of Minis were the only ones to have actual functional hood scoops as the R53 generation had a supercharger for its higher performance models. Anything R56 and after(including this) has never had a functional hood vent unfortunately

[@Shaggy-839two]

With the bonnet up it looks like a fish from the front!

[@EddyJoe]

As someone who is on his 2nd R56 MINI, I’m not happy with the direction the brand is going in. For this price I’d prefer the CTR or the Veloster N.

[@animalmother4]

Holy torque steer batman!

[@future.mortician]

I LOVE the Union Jack taillights on it

[@braetonwilson4296]

yeah that does look awesome!

[@JuanCarlosLTO]

Does anyone know what camera is Sofyan using?

[@Butts0hboi]

JCW Clubman ftw

[@johnru1]

Wish you would have said the 2020+ Clubman 0r Countryman JCW with the 301 HP will beat this to 60, both are 4wheel drive. They have a sport mode and adaptive suspension. To me the JCW Clubman is the replacement for this in all ways and fantastic to live with.

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

From a dig maybe, but this car will spank any hot hatch from a roll.

[@soulmaster63]

Although the GP3 may have some inherent flaws, your child-like giggles speak volumes about its fun factor 😀

[@jayespi37]

All this torque steer = Mazdaspeed 3😉 FUN!!!!

[@trb1589]

sofyan where is the type s video?!!! lmao

[@NovaResource]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIOTi5yOf5yff9U

[@corysekine-pettite1783]

Not sure why you're obsessed with the sound of doors closing. That's an engineered noise -- it has nothing to do with car quality. And saying that this one sounds cheap could lead people to believe that Minis are not safe. They are, in fact, 5-star safety rated in crash tests.

[@elacmathia]

do a 4 wheel alignment, fix everything. I did with my

[@stefankoles]

I love it, beacuse it's wild

[@carlito3624]

Tinny sounding slam !

[@okhera1]

Very Nice!

[@streetkiazNewMexico]

Cool car but ill take the Veloster N 🏁

[@aroundomaha]

I like that this car is quirky and a little brainless. This car is thwarted by the automatic transmission, but overall exudes personality that it missing in so much of the market. If I could find one I'd seriously consider buying it.

[@officialtexastony]

go all out with a custom GOODWOOD

[@simsalb]

Under the bonnet? Have you gone all 🇬🇧 on us, or is it because you're reviewing a British car (well German, British"ish)?

[@jcmata3123]

Ugly fender flares

[@seanhershey3390]

The fender flares are going to collect stones & other debris ..maybe some RWB roofing sealant is in order..

[@seanhershey3390]

I’d have the GTI/Golf R

[@ajjax89]

Has that BMW m2/m3 sounds...

[@galacticmaui2]

The type R is around 3100lb so it’s closer to 200lb under.

[@ShelbyCorGT500]

Fender flares are terrible !!!!

[@leom00n79]

That looked horrible but fun at the same time #borderlineabusive 😂 Can you please review the Mini Cooper S 2022??? That’s my dream car and would love to learn more about it and hear what you got to say.

[@brianbueno7837]

BAM💥

[@dylantoussaintinnocent5920]

It is a cool car incredible performance beautiful design, absolutely love it 😎

[@bfielder9097]

Embroidered into the taillights? Hmm I don't know.

[@sachemrock]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@rakhsiprayogo82]

Mini JCW GP is Like a Renault Clio

[@harapaki3412]

Mini know what theyre doing - they intentionally made it FWD so REAL drivers can have fun driving it

[@carbonio28]

If 18 wheelers didn't exist on the road it would be pretty sweet to drive around 😜

[@cybercityoedo808]

That's not a good enough reason to not drive a Mini GP. 18 wheelers would destroy an F350 as well... drive the car enjoy it!

[@lanceoa]

My 13 MCS carbon accents are delaminating

[@johnholst]

Cool! But I'd much rather have the M135i with this same engine. AWD makes a big difference.

[@momododobird]

you would be talking about a 130i since its a 2.0

[@johnholst]

@@momododobird The 135i is a 2L.

[@momododobird]

@@johnholst wait are you in UK?

[@johnholst]

@@momododobird No. Korea. And here, at least, the M135i and this JCW have virtually the same output and the same displacement. I really love the Bimmer!

[@momododobird]

@@johnholst i have a 500 abarth boosting stage 2 the bmw 135 didnt survive to long here they only made them sedan in usa at inline six turbo or N/A

[@Pin-Din7]

so just going to put it out there and I'm not trying to bash just to bash as this is well deserved criticism: those fenders suck and putting a fake hood scoop vent makes completely no sense, an area where it could use it the most. no manual which is fine understandable, but even no awd and I'm sure the price point isn't small.

[@bubblebutt7418]

the front end looks like 💋

[@abefernandez6546]

My cooper s does way more pop and garble than that. Also that gp is automatic, so it's not as fun and ould get old. The torque steer is something you get used to and the car is definitely noisy and rough on the ride. I do love my mini

[@NovaResource]

“Embroidered” tail lights. 🤣

[@Danlewis85]

That red bar behind the seats has nothing to do with stiffening. Its there to stop items in the back from slamming into the seats under breaking. Its existence is as mundane as that and nothing more. I had an order in for one of these and this is what two sales people from different dealerships told me.

[@markvicferrer]

Non functional hood scoop? Might as well replace it an aftermarket carbon fibre hood.

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

That engine bay....

[@FlowStateNewOrleans]

Those fender flares are terrible. It sounds good for a turbo 4, though.

[@dyaaong6030]

JUNK IT

[@JimConnelley]

OMG those flairs invite vandals.

[@tahsin28]

I wud prefer the fenders to be plastic and body colored without the gap inbetween. And a centre tac like they used to. Side tacs suck.

[@jase298hkhk]

There’s too many better choices considering it’s automatic. Manual JCW is fun and doesn’t feel slow at all

[@brandonfortenberry8696]

Just needs a tune to 300hp and then it would be perfect

[@TunesofTransformation]

This should have stayed a secret.. now everyone knows!!!

[@tahsin28]

Everyone is familiar with the GP frm 1year ago. Except u apperently.

[@savancleveland7756]

Is this someone's daily driver? This thing has a ton of swirls on the paint

[@NovaResource]

I’m sure it’s a fleet car for the purpose of journalist test drives. Journalists are known to abuse them worse than a rental.

[@buytheredcar]

I feel car companies should outsource the design to Hyundai kia .

[@Veyronp87]

maybe im getting old but this car looks like a nightmare to me. 300 HP with wheelspin and torque steer is a waste of time and not a good driving experience.

[@braetonwilson4296]

I know! If I wanted a hot hatch, I would much rather choose the Civic Type R, Veloster N, or Golf GTI over this Mini!

[@MattySlimz]

Totally the opposite. That is a NOSTALGIC feel for my era 2000s (Acura CL Type-S, Integra GSR,Sentra SE-R, built civics) these all had massive torque steer with almost zero driving aids. Cant find this anymore unless you build your own, this car has it and is certainly a love it or hate it feel.

[@braetonwilson4296]

@@MattySlimz So you think this Mini is worth the price?

[@MattySlimz]

@@braetonwilson4296 No. Overpriced as they’ve always been, but there will ALWAYS be a market for them.

[@brandonfortenberry8696]

I'd say this is a better bargain than the last GP since they were both in the 45 grand range

[@garrettw99]

Those ugly fenders are there to protect the painted parts of the car when the steering wheel breaks out of your hands and you ram into the wall

[@v60polestar88]

Mazda speed3 TQ steer level

[@babybluepig]

Pass like gas

[@realbeetlejuice]

that finasteride saved your hair.. dang

[@8gti9]

The front end of this car reminds me of Wendy from the Mario Cart games. Definitely an aggressive exterior design but I'm more worried about maintenance and reliability in the long term.

[@Viral__TV]

Needs a manual transmission unfortunately

[@TMS5100]

So basically the exact same problems the Mini Cooper JCW has always had.

[@desertdetroiter428]

....and without a manual transmission on top of everything else.

[@ShanerHulk]

New golf R 0-60 around 4.1 seconds and 12.2 quarter mile. Yeah I'll stick with golf R

[@bmlove81]

The styling is definitely overkill! Should have given there customers more exterior color options.

[@jonxgarcia1273]

there is a euro spec 306 hp, that's 5 hp more powerful.

[@uther10]

Ah that sucks, automatic only?

[@bfielder9097]

The steering wheel is horrible. I don't know why BMW continues to think fat wheel means sporty.

[@chucknorris1920]

The JCW Clubman has more power and is AWD but is much less fun in the corners than the GP3.

[@Papa.oscuritaa]

Needs awd

[@curiosityredpill7030]

I’ll take Veloster N over this looks tacky!

[@chrism869]

It looks very sketchy to drive, understeer for days, whell tugging, rides ruogh but it would be mainly my track toy forever no grocery getter, constantly wrestiling with the car is definitely the hastle, but to much fun, neon srt4 was worse

[@ddbhaha1529]

This car is so old... so last gen.

[@tapper701]

This GP Mini looks good, but ... GP = Grossly Priced ... Tail lights are British UK Union Jack (flag) representation - Sheldon Cooper approves ... Bazinga ... Slainte' ! Cheers !

[@lucascarreviews]

Opinions of the new Ford F150 Lightning everyone?

[@JYYP-jz7qq]

no one cares about ford

[@toyotavenzaguy2499]

@@JYYP-jz7qq no one cares about you

[@corybrown8422]

It will fail miserably. People who actually buy trucks to work in don't want to worry about charge time lol.

[@MattCC16Gaming]

I really like it! I wonder how it will do, wonder what the demand is for electric trucks.

[@sinisterwraith7050]

@@JYYP-jz7qq 'no one cares about ford' as the f150 is the best selling vehicle in the US lmao.

[@bdoleza]

The only good thing I can can see about this car is that it exists. That Mini would dare to make a car so visceral and crazy. But its 2021, and I can think of literally no worse way to spend $45K to $55K in the modern automotive world.

[@Jaxav8or]

That fake induction sound is awful. Long for the days of an R53 GP with screaming supercharger and pop and burble exhaust.

[@ShohruhShamanov]

Sofyan, good review! Appreciate your work! What a terrible car 😄Type R is definitely better, in any way. Most likely the best front wheel drive sport sedan ever made. Keep in mind it aged good, and the new gen is coming too. But This car is so unbalanced..

[@ImYoutubing247]

No manual? I’m out

[@brandonfortenberry8696]

Input shaft spines on the manual trans is too tiny