However, this special edition MINI won’t be helping things out much in that department – only 50 units are destined for the United States.

MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 Edition – wow, what a mouthful! Try saying that a few times. You would expect some drivetrain and suspension upgrades with a name like that, but this is purely an appearance package. It is based on an already-upgraded MINI as well.

The 50 Edition was introduced last year at the 2009 MINI United Festival in the United Kingdom, on top of the usual JCW Challenge package.

The car was made to commemorate John Cooper’s first Formula 1 title. The styling changes start with colors, featuring a special exterior color called Connaught Green, with roof and hood stripes in white.

Other changes include glossy black 17-inch spoke wheels, carbon fiber bits and a Championship Red Lounge leather interior. Per usual with cars like this, there will be a plaque on the dash showing the vehicle’s special edition number.

It is is supposed to go on sale on our shores in late spring or early summer, for $40,300 (Ouch!). That is the largest pricetag for a MINI ever. No wonder they’re only bringing over 50.

There is the full image of the car released by the company. I’m surprised to see they’d reveal so much, and even more surprised at the overall pace of leaks and teaser releases by the various auto company’s ahead of the Geneva Show.

Anyhow, the MiTo GTA ups the sports ante considerably with an altered, more agressive stance, new wheels and flared fender arches. Suspension changes include high-tech coilover springs and McPherson struts up front.

Alfa Romeo has always tried to link the MiTo with it’s top end sports car the 8C Competizione, with various photoshoots and advertisements placing the two together. That stylistic connection is carried further with the MiTo GTA model.

I’m impressed! I’ve always been really fond of the MiTo (and indeed nearly every one of Alfa Romeo’s vehicles) for it’s beautiful Italian styling.

They really are taking everything to another level with the GTA model, with the Mini Cooper JCV squarely in it’s sights.

 This car also should help assuage some concerns I’ve seen expressed about the MiTo saying it wasn’t sporting enough in the true Alfa Romeo tradition. 

For the GTA, it aims to be the most powerful car in it’s class, with a 1.65L 4 producing 240 HP. Hot hatch indeed! Hopefully it will come to the U.S as one of the positive outcomes resulting from Chrysler’s Fiat partnership. Stay tuned for more details!