Big news in the hot-hatch world: the John Cooper Works versions of the Mini Cooper and the Mini Aceman have finally been unveiled. And yep, you’re seeing the Aceman here, too, because this is the launch of the first-ever all-electric JCWs. A gas-powered JCW hatchback will be along at some point before the end of the year.
But first, a bit of housekeeping. You’ll be well aware by now that with this new generation, Mini replaced the name ‘Hatch’ with simply ‘Cooper’ for the little three-door. Unfortunately, that gave it a bit of a problem when it came to naming this version. So, rather than being officially titled the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works, this new tiny terrier is called the Mini John Cooper Works Electric. Got it?
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Oh, and just to make things that little bit more confusing, it isn’t the Mini Aceman John Cooper Works. Apparently, it’s known as the Mini John Cooper Works Aceman. Where’s that facepalm emoji when you need it?
Anyway, both cars were unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, and both use exactly the same powertrain. An electric motor sends 254hp and 340Nm of torque to the front wheels, with the result being 0-100kph in 5.9sec for the hatchback (née Cooper) and 6.4sec for the larger, bulkier Aceman. Both top out at 200kph, and you’ll actually only access that max power figure when you press the new ‘Boost’ switch mounted behind the steering wheel.
The battery is the same 54.2kWh (gross) unit as featured in the higher-spec SE versions of both standard cars, so the hatch claims 404km on a single charge and the Aceman 391km. Both will rapid-charge at 95kW, so you should be able to get from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes.
Both apparently “maintain the characteristics worthy of the JCW name.” To that end, there’s new John Cooper Works-specific suspension for “mini go-kart handling,” and both cars feature fairly aggressive bodykit and chunky rear wings. The Cooper-not-a-Cooper gets 18-inch wheels and the Aceman gets 19-inch rims. Red brake calipers and a red roof will be standard fit.
Inside, you’ll get a black and red color scheme, with the two colors knitted into the dashboard and the strip of fabric on the steering wheel. There are sporty front seats and that now-familiar circular OLED touchscreen.
Deliveries are scheduled to start in April 2025, with the John Cooper Works Electric starting at £38,420 (P2.9 million before taxes) and the John Cooper Works Aceman £40,220 (P3 million before taxes).
Excited by an EV JCW, or will you be waiting for gas power?
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
