Mini EVs get the hot JCW treatment

Mini has given its electric Cooper hatchback and Aceman SUV the John Cooper Works (JCW) treatment, unveiling the souped-up battery-powered models overnight.

The Mini JCW Electric and the Mini JCW Aceman are the new performance flagships of the two EV model lines, and follow a familiar formula used by the brand for decades.

Mini Australia is yet to confirm when we can expect the performance models in local showrooms, but given their overseas launch timing, a 2025 arrival is likely.

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Compared to the standard models upon which they’re based, the JCW editions feature sporty body kits (akin to the JCW Trim version of the Cooper SE sold overseas), unique wheel designs (18-inch for the Cooper, 19-inch for the Aceman) and black contrast elements.

Other JCW-specific features include red brake calipers, unique grilles, numerous JCW badges, bespoke daytime running light signatures and black exterior highlights.

A Chili Red or red and black gradient roof are available.

Inside, both models feature black and red patterns, which in the case of the dashboard incorporates a chequered flag motif.

The front seats are upholstered in black synthetic leather, with knitted fabric at shoulder height and red accent stitching throughout.

There’s no change to the 240mm round OLED infotainment touchscreen, which remains the same size as in the rest of the range.

Both the JCW Electric and JCW Aceman are powered by a 190kW and 350Nm electric motor, driving the front wheels and unlocking top speeds of up to 200km/h.

Mini quotes a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds for the JCW Electric, while the JCW Aceman is half a second slower at 6.4 seconds, making the hot hatch 0.8s quicker than the Cooper EV and the hot electric SUV 0.7s quicker than the standard Aceman.

A 54.2kWh gross/49.2kWh net battery pack provides up to 371km of claimed driving range in the JCW Electric and 355km in the JCW Aceman, both tested against Europe’s WLTP lab test protocols.

Mini claims it’s also made changes to the Cooper and Aceman under the skin, which includes JCW-specific suspension settings that “maximise the go-kart feeling and ensure agile handling”, coupled with Hankook performance tyres.

While Mini has now unveiled its flagship performance electric models, it’s still yet to detail the new petrol-powered JCW Cooper.

The outgoing Mini JCW Hatch was fitted with an uprated 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 170kW and 320Nm, and the special-edition JCW GP upped that further to 225kW and 450Nm.

MORE: Everything Mini Cooper • Aceman