Manhart takes Mini GP to the max

Even the most powerful Mini ever made just isn’t enough for some, so German tuner Manhart has turned up the wick on the Mini John Cooper Works GP3 to over 350 hp.

An extra 44 hp is the result of ECU tuning, a new intercooler, and a catback exhaust that Manhart says produces an “even more robust motorsport sound.”

The Manhart GP3 chews tires with 391 lb-ft of torque and sits on lower springs, while Manhart has also gone for gold when it comes to the styling. Cue a matte black wrap and lashings of auric accents. If we’re being kind we could say that it almost evokes the look of a John Player Special Lotus 77. Almost.

The standard GP is no slouch, having lapped the Nürburgring in just under eight minutes, but Manhart hasn’t released any new figures for its maxed-out Mini.

Manhart’s performance kit weighs in at  €5766 ($6683) on top of the $44,900 asking price for the GP.