MINI Debuts Two MINI Cooper JCWs & We’ve got Exclusive Details

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We got our first official look at the two new MINI Cooper JCWs at Goodwood today and along with it our best photos yet of both the electric J01 and petrol F66 models. But perhaps more importantly, we have plenty of exclusive details on both cars. So grab your favorite beverage and buckle-up. We have a lot to share.

The Design of the New MINI Cooper JCW

The J01 and the F66 may look very similar but they couldn’t be more different. If you look at these photos long enough you’ll notice both the inherent similarities and differences between the two. But first, we’re going to focus on what we know applies to both cars. As we’ve reported, the JCW Trim design we’ve seen on the standard J01 and F66 will form the basis of the full JCW model in overall look. So much so that they will be very hard to distinguish for the average consumer save for a few details. Whether you think that’s a mistake by MINI (we certainly do) or like the egalitarian approach, it does help us get a clear picture of the final design.

As you can see above there are almost no visible differences between the cars. But there are if you look closer. First the 18″ wheels on J01 prototype appear to be exclusively designed for the JCW model. For the F66 it’s a complicated story as this is the same car that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours thus it wears racing OZ wheels. So what will eventually come to production is still unknown.

Like on the JCW Trim, MINI has applied gloss black side skirts on the JCW. However on the full JCW there’s a unique side skirt design that looks nearly identical to what we’ve had on the F56 JCW. You’ll also notice that the word “Cooper” is nowhere to be found oh the gloss black rear trim. In fact it’s nowhere to be found on the call at all outside of the “John Cooper Works” badging.

Otherwise that’s it. There are no exclusive colors or other styling elements. Even the “exclusive” Legend Grey exterior color is freely optional on the JCW Trim (as you can see above).

But for all the similarities between how these cars look, there are a number of key differences beyond just the powertrains.

The F66 Petrol MINI Cooper JCW

The F66 MINI Cooper JCW is an evolution of the F56 that preceded it with some important differences. But first a word about the F66 JCW you see here. It’s actually the race car that finished first in class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours and thus has some important modifications over what we’ll see this October when the F66 JCW finally debuts.

To withstand 24 Hours on the ‘Ring, Bulldog Racing installed a full coil-over suspension, AP racing braking system, roll cage, fuel cell and finished it off with some lightweight OZ wheels and racing slicks. So while this is the new JCW underneath, it’s got some key differences over the forthcoming production car.

What is the same is the drivetrain and the horsepower figure of 231 hp. However there’s one big difference under the hood. We can confirm the F66 JCW’s B48A20O2 four cylinder has an output of 280 ft lbs of torque. That’s a massive 45 ft lbs (16%) increase torque over the previous generation and only 15 ft lbs behind the new Countryman JCW. This along with the wider track and quicker DCT transmission will give the new JCW a noticeable performance advantage despite having the same power figure.

Exclusive 2025 F66 MINI JCW Specifications

Model	F56 Cooper JCW	F66 Cooper JCW
Power	231 hp	231 hp
Torque	235 lb-ft / 1450 rpm	280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpm
Transmission	Manual/Auto	7 speed DCT
Track	1485 mm / 58 in	1499 mm / 59 in
Length (mm/in)	3863 mm / 152.5 in	3879 mm / 152.7 in
Height (mm/in)	1414 mm / 55.66 in	1431 mm / 56.38 in
Wheelbase (mm/in)	2495 mm / 98.23 in	2495 mm / 98.23
Curb weight (kg/lbs)	1338 kg / 2,951 lbs	1405 kg / 3,097 lbs

Key differences highlighted

But things aren’t all improvements. Unfortunately along with this performance improvement the new F66 JCW has an increase in weight at 3,097 lbs. Unfortunately it’s hard to pin down a like for like weight at this time but based on what we know, we believe that’s the weight figure including fluids, fuel and 90% and a driver. If so that would compare with the 2,951 lbs we’ve seen listed with the previous generation F56 JCW auto. In other words it appears the new F66 MINI Cooper JCW is 146 lbs heavier than the previous generation.

Outside it’s hard to say where the production F66 JCW ends and the race car begins. But our sources tell us that the massive rear defuser is specific to the prototype race car and will not see production on the F66 JCW – at least not yet. One could imagine something like that eventually making its way to a GP model.

The J01 Electric MINI Cooper JCW

The electric MINI JCW will easily surpass the petrol power F66 MINI Cooper JCW. Sources tell us to expect a power output of around 260 hp vs 231 hp from the F66. Similarly the torque will be quite a bit greater giving the J01 JCW a much more responsive feel. 0-60 times will likely be in the mid to high 5 second range. Top speed will be interesting as MINI has been limiting its electric cars to 170 km/h (105.6 mph) due to the car’s already limited range. We don’t have info here but we’d guess MINI will allow for a higher top-speed but nothing close to the 155 mph that we see in the petrol powered U25 MINI Countryman JCW.

Speaking of range, our sources tell us that the battery size will remain the same as the SE models. Because of the increased performance, we’d expect range to decrease a bit – perhaps as much as 5-10%. That could take the 250 mile WLTP range down to between 225-237 miles.

The J01 doesn’t have a multi-speed transmission but there will still be one paddle behind the steering wheel. Like in the Countryman SE, our sources tell us that MINI will introduce a “boost” function that gives you more power for a 10-second period. This will be operational via a paddle behind the steering wheel on the left side.

MINI will follow its typical formula with mild revisions to suspension settings from the standard J01 SE rather than a wholesale suspension redesign that we’d see in a BMW M car. Think of this new JCW (and all standard JCW models for that matter) as following the BMW M Performance strategy of upgrading suspension and braking components rather than anything radically different.

One thing that is new and a big visual differentiator between the F66 JCW and even the J01 Cooper SE with the JCW Style are those aero optimized 18″ wheels. It’s unclear what brakes those wheels are hiding underneath but sources tell us to expect a larger four piston set-up.

2025 F66 JCW & J01 JCW Specifications

This is the first time that MINI has put not just these two JCWs together, but these two MINI models literally next to each other. And before we talk about the JCW specifics, we have to take a moment to talk about just how strikingly different aspects of these cars are. As we’ve said in our previous hands-on video, the first thing you notice on the J01 is how much further the windshield is rakes. Then there’s the higher belt line that makes the J01 feel larger despite it being slightly smaller in some dimensions.

The comparison of the JCW models is equally as interesting. Sources tell us to expect at least 260 hp for the J01 while the F66 JCW will still only have a 231 hp output from its four cylinder. However torque for both cars should be early the same. Sources have confirmed to us that the F66 JCW will have 280 ft lbs making this B48 quite a bit more punchy than what we had before. Similarly sources have told us to expect a similar number from the J01. However unlike the F66 where we have strong evidence of that 280 figure, we can’t quite confirm these numbers it’s still unclear what we’ll see in final production form.

Model	J01 Cooper JCW	F66 Cooper JCW
Power	260 hp + (estimated)	231 hp
Torque	280 lb-ft + (estimated)	280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpm
Transmission	Single Speed	7 speed DCT
Track	1538 mm / 61 in	1499 mm / 59 in
Length (mm/in)	3858 mm / 151.6 in	3879 mm / 152.7 in
Height (mm/in)	1460 mm / 54.4 in	1431 mm / 56.38 in
Wheelbase (mm/in)	2526 mm / 99.4 in	2495 mm / 98.23
Curb weight (kg/lbs)	1675 kg / 3700 lbs (estimated)	1405 kg / 3,097 lbs

2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Launch Timing and North American Availability

Both the electric and petrol JCW models will debut October 24th right here on MotoringFile. Production of the combustion F66 will start in November while the electric J01 will kick-off in January.

Model	Power	Debut Date	Start of Production
J01 JCW (electric)	260 hp*	10/2024	01/2025
F66 JCW (petrol)	231 hp	10/2024	11/2024

* Unconfirmed

The J01 MINI Cooper JCW like all new small electric MINIs are made in China in collaboration with Great Wall Motors. Why? Designing and engineering cars for global markets is a huge investment for a small brand like MINI and doing that for both an electric and internal combustion is nearly impossible. So MINI partnered with Spotlight Motors – a joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China to gain scale and production expertise. Unfortunately months after the ink was dry a global trade war escalated with tariffs on Chinese cars in the US. Since then things have only gotten worse for MINI with similar tariffs being announced in Europe and the UK made in Europe.

Given these moves, MINI has aggressively changed its plans and announced its intention to produce its new electric models in Oxford. After a major expansion, the plan will begin producing the J01, J03 and J05 from 2026 onward. This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied likely around 2026.

As always check back with MotoringFile often for more exclusive news on MINI’s new JCW products including two more models we’ll see sooner than you might expect.

2025 MINI Cooper JCW Prototype Gallery

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