While battery-wed JCWs will set pace for off-the-line nip, they place second to the petrol for overall speed.

DETERMINATION by Mini to fully take its performance brand into the electric era with John Cooper Works electric vehicles seems set to kick in different level of energy for that sub-marque.

The new models, coming out of China for at least the first year of availability, will launch here in April alongside a continuing petrol JCW Cooper hatch that again comes in from the Oxford factory in the United Kingdom.

Mini here has yet to say how they will price or which will be the more expensive - odds are it will be the electrics, as that tech carries a premium, but another factor - the parlous state of electric car sales here - could yet also factor.

No matter than EV demand has also slumped worldwide, international effort continues to prioritise the technology, along with acceptance that ultimately the ICE types will disappear.

For Mini JCW the electric push will be a two versus one imprint, with the battery models set to show in Cooper and Aceman versions. 

With a 250kmh top speed, the petrol holds status as the fastest JCW choice overall but when it comes to maximum output and fastest step-off, the electrics hold pole position.

In sharing local market data for the new petrol last week, BMW NZ highlighted that the type’s twin turbo 2.0-litre will punch out 170kW - the same output as the old model. However it neglected to say that oomph, though spicy for small car, is still 20kW short of what the electric JCWs will pack.

The electric seems set to deliver 40Nm less torque, with overseas’ data for it suggesting a 340Nm maximum. The Cooper petrol is good for 380Nm, a 60Nm over the preceding 2.0-litre type’s.

The electric models produce their oomph from a single motor on the front axle and, according to the factory, will achieve 0-100km in 5.9 seconds in Cooper form, while the larger Aceman needs 6.4s. The petrol JCW will achieve 0-100kmh in 6.1s. The electric models top out at 200kmh, so 50kmh short of the petrol.

Both electric JCW cars use the same 49.2kWh (usable) battery as the standard electric Minis also en route. Capable of charging at up to 95kW, it is good for a range of 403 kilometres in the Cooper and 391km in the Aceman.

While the latest JCW models will be built initially alongside their standard counterparts in China they are expected to begin rolling down the line at Mini’s Oxford plant from 2026.

These are Mini’s first fully fledged electric performance models. JCW versions of its current EVs already exist, but they are differentiated only visually from the standard cars.

Mini says the two new hot hatchbacks “follow a rich heritage of previous John Cooper Works models and maintain the characteristics worthy of the JCW name”, highlighting the addition of a new button on the steering wheel that liberates the full power output for an ‘electric boost’ on demand.

Both cars ride as standard on bespoke performance-tuned suspension and grippy new sports tyres that “maximise Mini go-kart handling”.

The China cars have been developed with Great Wall Motors and have different panels and also a bespoke floorpan to the British models, but in styling they are closed.

The JCWs are marked out from the standard cars by the usual extrovert makeover, which brings an aggressive-looking bodykit including a chunky rear wing, rear diffuser, aero blades and contrasting black and red trim. There are also bespoke wheel designs and the sporting brand’s chequered-flag-style motif features on the bootlid, the front grille and the sills.

The sporting theme continues inside, with a new black and red theme for the knitted dashboard, front seats and ambient lighting.

To promote the new electric chapter BMW has created an international marketing campaign called ‘grab the corners’. This, the makes says, showcases the uniqueness of the new John Cooper Works models and goes back to John Cooper — a sports car constructor who converted a Mini into a racing car. 

The first Cooper Mini won the Rally Monte Carlo in 1964. During the conversion, John Cooper focused — in contrast to his competitors — not on optimising speed on straight routes, but on cornering behaviour. Mini says the new range does the same.