Mini nixes Coupe GP plans

AutoBlog: Mini nixes Coupe GP plans

Mini Coupe GPIf you were hoping Mini might be bringing out a John Cooper Works GP version of its new Coupe hatchback bodystyle, we're sorry to disappoint you, but the Mini-obsessed folks at MotoringFile says it's not going to happen. Despite having gotten far enough into development that our spy shooters were able to catch the car during testing on public roads, the powers that be have reportedly scuttled those plans.

The report says marketing concerns are likely to blame, as Mini did not want to dilute enthusiasm for the limited-production Cooper JCW GP. Like its predecessor, the 2006 Mini Cooper S JCW GP, just 2,000 examples are to be sold worldwide, and Mini has yet to even release full specs on the Cooper-based JCW GP.

While this move makes sense to us largely because we're not fans of the Coupe, MotoringFile does hedge its bets, writing that the JCW GP Coupe "may not be entirely dead." Certainly Mini could still decide to release it later in the Coupe's lifecycle, particularly if sales stall and those same marketing types decide (as they often do) that moving the metal trumps exclusivity.