What do you make of this modified Mini GP?

Great colour this, isn’t it? What you’re looking at above is one of the 3,000 third-generation Mini GPs, although this one has been fully-customised by Dutch company Beek Auto Racing. Certainly striking.

Through its company MINIspeed.eu, Beek has apparently upgraded the hardcore Mini’s performance, handling and sound – three areas it says “the standard GP3 does not realise its full potential and where the Mini engineers had to take shortcuts to make the project financially viable". Ouch.

Anyway, Dutch specialists AST Suspension have fitted a softer new suspension setup to improve on-road manners, and there’s a Milltek cat-back exhaust to tackle the sound issues. 

In terms of performance, this Czech-registered car has had a boost from 302bhp to 325bhp, but Beek says it could get the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit up to 350bhp+ if desired. There are Michelin Cup 2 tyres and inside a carbon/Alcantara steering wheel. Oh, and a Ferrari-style passenger screen. Nice.

The wrap is a Blue Gem vinyl combined with Gloss White, and the Mini’s controversial arches have been turned matte black. Thoughts folks?