We Find out Which is Faster: The Petrol F66 MINI Cooper vs & Electric J01 MINI Cooper SE

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Over the past few days we’ve been going into extreme detail on how the electric J01 and petrol F66 MINI Coopers look nearly identical but are in fact entirely different. Today we’re looking at the specifications that will directly relate to how fast these cars will be. What can weight, power, torque and even wheel track tell us? Potentially a lot.

The Weight Penalty of Going Electric with the J01 MINI Cooper

First up is weight. We’ve already shown you the 706 lbs weight penalty that the J01 EV caries over the petrol powered F66. But where is that weight exactly and how does it relate to the weight distribution?

Weight	2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE	2024 F66 MINI Cooper S	2024 F66 MINI Cooper
Curb Weight (w/driver)	1680 kg / 3704 lbs	1360 kg / 2998 lbs	1335 kg / 2943 lbs
Curb Weight w/driver (front axle)	948 kg	852 kg	827 kg
Curb Weight w/driver (rear axle)	732 kg	508 kg	508 kg
Mass of maximum optional equipment	86 kg	69 kg	69 kg
Curb Weight (without driver)	1605 kg	1285 kg	1260 kg
Weight distribution w/driver (front)	56.5%	63.7%	63.1%
Weight distribution w/driver (rear)	43.5%	36.2%	36.9 %

The larger numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. This includes then F66 MINI Cooper which (unlike the US version) still has the 3 cylinder B38.

As you can see the J01 has the better weight distribution due to the nature of the skateboard chassis and the battery pack. But it’s interesting to see it’s still front heavy, front wheel drive car despite this. Also interesting is the total weight of the optional equipment on these cars.

Power & Torque Figures of the J01 Cooper SE and F66 Cooper S

Performance	2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE	2024 F66 MINI Cooper S
Power (BHP)	215 bHP	201 bHP
Power (PS)	218 PS	204 PS
Power (kW)	160 kW	150 kW
Torque (ft lbs)	243 ft lbs	221 ft lbs
Torque (Nm	330 Nm	300 Nm
0-62 mph	6.7 sec	6.6 seconds
Top Speed	170 km/h (105.6 mph)	242 km/h (150.3 mph)

The better numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. Note that there are some differences in the way the US measures weight vs the EU.

The J01 wins out every category until we talk about actual performance. That’s where the F66 MINI Cooper S takes the crown. How is this possible since it’s down on power and torque? It’s that weight we looked at above. It’s simply impossible to overcome an extra 706 lbs with only a 14 bHP and 22 ft lbs difference. What we don’t know is how this car will feel in corners. But we have an idea.

J01 vs the F66 – Wheel Offset and Track

Now let’s take a look at wheel offset, track and turning circle. Again interesting differences here expose the very different underpinnings of these two cars.

Performance	2024 J01 MINI Cooper SE	2024 F66 MINI Cooper S
Wheel offset – front	40 mm	47 mm
Wheel offset – rear	40 mm	47 mm
Track – front	1538 mm	1499 mm
Track – rear	1538 mm	1499 mm
Minimum turning circle	10.8 m / 35.4	11.1 m / 36.4 ft

The better numbers are bolded. All measurements are taken from the EU market. Note that there are some differences in the way the US measures weight vs the EU.

Performance Conclusions

It’s simple impossible to conclude anything with only numbers. But what we have here paints an interesting picture. Yes the electric J01 MINI Cooper is slower in a straight line. However the J01, like all electric cars, has its torque delivered in an immediate fashion. And while it’s heavier, the vast majority of that weight is very close to the ground, mitigating its lateral effects. All of this points to a car that could (despite its weight penalty) feel more eager and nimble in corners.

Which begs the question what it would be like on track with both of these cars. Would the J01’s more advanced traction control, immediate torque and better weight distribution help it shoot out of corners more effectively? If so, could the F66’s lack of weight help it claw back that time on the straights? It sounds like a tantalizing race to us. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait awhile until we can drive these two back to back.

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