MINIUSA announced GP pricing to dealer yesterday in a bulletin that outlined standard equipment, allocation and timing. The GP will retail for $39,950 including destination. Here’s a quick look at other key facts: 500 slotted to US market Each dealer gets one car. All other cars will be available via a toll free number this Friday with current GP owners getting first crack Standard JCW wheels and run flats available for $100 Special delivery for 50-100 in early March (details TDB) US market gets Bluetooth, auto climate control, flat load floor, standard radio and Recaros. More...
This car is a dilemma in the making. It's track dedicated, and I applaud the effort--but it's so overrpriced, if you're looking for a track animal, which is what this is supposed to be. This looks like more of a collectors car than the first GP, even though it's even more purpose built for the track. Just imagine what you could do to an R53 for that kind of money, or significantly less money than that, and have a car that would run circles around the R56 GP. If this car is directed at the track enthusiast, why would someone jump on this when you can substantially better from a performance standpoint at a significantly lower price point? I think prestige and badge are coming into play here big time, and that's fine, but I don't know how much this car will appeal to track rats at that price point. BMW can say this car was built for the track, but I'm doubting we'll see many there. Heck, you could probably do it with a base R56 as well, although those are more expensive and limited with regard to modding.