First fully-electric Mini JCW unveiled

While many (if not most) performance EVs are about as interesting as warm milk, the advent of electrified superminis does hold some appeal. Being very nippy and nicely balanced and good in town plays to the strengths of battery-powered cars, and the newcomers don’t need to worry so much about being compared to evocative petrol engines because modern four-cylinder units are typically harder to reminisce about than V8s. Mini has already got itself off to a good start with the Cooper variants of its electric hatchback, but with Alpine just about to launch the A290, the case for a JCW version rather makes itself. 

And here it is, launched in Paris for full tanks-on-their-lawn effect. Obviously there is no visual mic drop moment as there was with the A290 – a) because the car leaked last month, and b) because Mini has kept the overhaul fairly low key. You get prominent new logos, obviously, but were they not there it’s only the black side skirts, C-pillar aeroblades and roof-mounted rear spoiler giving the game away. Having said that, the gently reworked front end does give the JCW a bit more presence than the regular SE (assuming you haven’t optioned the copycat aerokit), which is wilfully boring from most angles. That and the 18-inch, ‘aerodynamically optimised’ alloy wheels, means you’re getting a fundamentally better looking car than standard. Which is as it should be. 

For now, Mini does not go into exhaustive detail about changes made to the chassis (which makes us think that there’s not a whole lot different about the ‘John Cooper Works specific suspension’) but the manufacturer reckons it ‘maximises’ the trademark handling, and suggests that the model will be sold as standard with high performance tyres. They will not have a tremendous amount more to do than in the 218hp SE unless you select the ‘John Cooper Works’ mode that accesses the car’s new 258hp headline figure. The rest of the time, you’ll be driving around with closer to 230hp – although, in fairness, that is still more than the Alpine brings to the table, and is backed by 251lb ft of doubtlessly lively peak torque. 

Accordingly, it promises to the slightly quicker than the A290, with a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds ahead of a 124mph top speed. (For the record, the SE is currently sold as a 6.7-second and 106mph option.) Unsurprisingly, you get the same 54.2kWh battery as before, with the same 95kW charging capacity – which means you should get from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in under half an hour. With it brimmed, the WLTP-rated range is 251 miles. Again, slightly more than the 236 miles quoted for the Alpine, but in the same usability ballpark. 

Inside, it seems like the differences are limited to slightly sportier front seats and a smattering of different trim materials, including that black and red pattern applied to the knitted surface of the dashboard. The seats are in black synthetic leather with red stitching and apparently the ambient interior lighting aimed at the headlining is a JCW exclusive. The 24cm circular OLED touchscreen certainly isn’t exclusive, and we’re told to expect a familiar lineup of MINI Experience Modes – Vivid, Core, Green, Timeless, Balance, Go Kart and Personal – to feature. 

“With the new all-electric Mini John Cooper Works models, we are bringing the legendary performance and driving dynamics of Mini into a completely new era. We are combining the tradition and character of the Mini brand with the latest technology to create a unique driving experience that will thrill our customers”, reckons company boss, Stefan Richmann. Quite how thrilling the breathed-on result will be remains to be seen, but on paper the JCW seems adequately equipped to compete with its better-looking rival – not least on price, where £38,420 is likely to compare favourably (or at least equitably) with the French-built A290. Either way, first customer delivery are expected to kick off next April.