This is it, ladies and gentlemen – we are witnessing history as MINI’s John Cooper Works (JCW) begins its new electrified era with their first-ever fully electric JCW models. Their first foray into electrification will come in two flavours: the MINI JCW Electric based on the J01 MINI Cooper electric hatch, and the JCW Aceman, of course, based on the regular Aceman crossover.
Since these are full-fat JCW models and not just a cosmetic pack (JCW Trim), both the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and JCW Aceman now get some added grunt to match their hot-hatch (and hot-crossover?) status. As all good JCWs go, they are still front-wheel driven only, with a single motor making a maximum of 258 hp (190 kW) and 350 Nm of torque – a healthy 41 hp and 20 Nm bump over their respective SE variants.
With the extra firepower, both cars are quicker from 0-100 km/h as compared to their regular SE counterparts, as you’d expect – 5.9 seconds (-0.8s) on the MINI JCW Electric, and 6.4 seconds (-0.7s) on the JCW Aceman. You’ll need to activate “Boost mode” to achieve these figures, though, via a pull of a paddle behind the steering wheel that gives you a 10-second dose of an extra 27 hp.
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MINI says that both the new JCW cars have received JCW-specific suspension tunes to maximise the go-kart handling these cars are known for, and they also get “high performance grip tyres” straight out of the factory, alongside high performance brakes (with Chilli Red callipers, of course) to help with your spirited driving sessions.
What’s not changed here is the battery, which we presume is probably due to weight concerns. It’s still the same 54.2 kWh battery pack, but with a more performance-oriented motor configuration, range has also predictably taken a hit here: 371 km (WLTP) on the hatch (-31 km), and 355 km on the JCW Aceman (-50 km).
They also really don’t look all that different from their respective JCW Trims that are already available in the UK and Europe. You do at least get JCW-specific wheels on the hotter variants, with the MINI JCW Aceman’s 19-inch items looking particularly snazzy.
As with the regular JCW trim, black side skirts and the black rear wing (with massive aeroblades on the C-pillar) are standard here, but the JCW Cooper-proper does get additional diffuser extensions and a unique decal on the tailgate.
It’s the same story inside, too, with both cars getting essentially the same interior as their regular JCW Trim counterparts. The headliner does get illuminated ambient lighting, though, so you can at least feel a little bit more special inside.
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