La Mini John Cooper Works GP en est à sa troisième itération. Depuis 2006, cette version de la Mini s'adresse aux amateurs de sportives, mais la dernière née a attiré l'attention de Manhart. Après le passage dans son atelier, la Mini JCW GP ressort plus forte que jamais et profite de l'occasion pour changer de nom et devenir Manhart GP3 F350.
La puissance passe à 350 ch et 530 Nm (contre 306 ch et 450 Nm de base). Le tuner a reconfiguré l'ECU du moteur 2,0 litres turbocompressé. Il a aussi ajouté un intercooler et a installé un système d'échappement à clapets. Manhart a également remplacé le filtre à particules pour une meilleure sonorité.
Galerie: Manhart Mini JCW GP3 F350
Le préparateur a rabaissé la voiture de 20 mm à l'avant et de 15 mm à l'arrière grâce à de nouveaux ressorts. De plus, il a modifié les jantes d'origine par des jantes de 19 pouces. Visuellement, Manhart s'est attardé sur les ailes et a installé une grande aile arrière tout en collant des bandes décoratives dorées sur la carrosserie de la sportive.
Manhart limite la production de la GP3 F350, mais il promet qu'il y aura une autre édition limitée de la JCW GP. Il y aura aussi d'autres améliorations, comme une admission en carbone, un autre système d'échappement, des tuyaux de descente, et plus encore. Bref, ceux qui veulent que leur Mini devienne encore plus puissante peuvent se tourner vers Manhart.
Les autres préparations de Manhart
Source: Manhart
THE MANHART GP3 F350
Almost 20 years have passed since MINI were successfully revived as a BMW brand. The small car is particularly popular in the high-performance model variants, in which the much-cited go-kart feeling is particularly pronounced. The crowning glory is the limited John Cooper Works GP, which was recently launched in its third edition. Of course, the top version soon created interest at MANHART Performance and its Dutch partner MINIspeed.eu, powered by Beek Auto Racing. The result is the MANHART GP3 F350 – which, like the basic model, is produced in a strictly limited edition
As usual, the number in the new name stands for the performance value. Instead of the already generous performance of 306 HP and 450 Nm sent to the front wheels of the small car, the turbocharged B48 two-liter four-cylinder of the JCW GP now generates an impressive 350 HP, while the maximum torque increases to 530 Nm. This increase has been achieved through ECU remapping by the Dutch MINI specialists at Beek Auto Racing in The Hague and the installation of a MANHART intercooler from Airtec. The offer also includes a replacement pipe for the gasoline particulate filter and a MANHART cat-back exhaust system, manufactured by Remus. Thanks to a four-stage flap control, the latter allows an even more robust motorsport sound than the standard system.
In addition, the optimized MINI also receives adjustments in terms of its looks that further refine the extremely sporty appearance even in the standard condition, thanks in part to the fender flares and a large rear wing: the team from JDCustoms from the Netherlands provided the full black matt film, the heritage decorative stripes and accents in gold. The trunk strut with black MANHART lettering and the decorative stripes on the horns of the matt black MANHART Concave One rims have the same color. They are screwed to the MINI in 8.5×19 inches and covered with non-slip tires in 235/30 ZR19. Since the JCW GP has a convincing chassis ex works, MANHART limited itself in this regard to the installation of lowering springs manufactured by AST Suspension, which lowers the body by 20 millimeters at the front and 15 millimeters at the rear. In development is a full range with coil-over suspension systems from the Dutch specialists at AST Suspension.
When developing the components for the JCW GP, MANHART worked closely with the Beek Auto Racing team, who also operate one of Europe’s biggest MINI-themed webstores: MINIspeed.eu. In cooperation with this highly successful platform, MANHART will upon request offer various other tuning parts for the John Cooper Works GP, such as the additional digital multi-function gauge from P3Cars or exterior and interior attachments from Cravenspeed.
The F350 is not yet the end of the line for MANHART tuning for the JCW GP. At the moment there are already several other engine stage upgrades in the final phase of development: A carbon intake, as well as downpipes and another exhaust system setups are coming soon, which will make the MINI appear even more powerful. MANHART will soon release another limited edition of the same JCW GP, which will be characterized by another unique color scheme while also being modified in collaboration with its partners in through MANHART style.