Which New MINI Cooper is faster: the electric J01 or the petrol F66? We Finally Have Answers.

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.
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 % |
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.
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 J01 wins out every category until we talk about straight-line 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.
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 |
It’s simply impossible to conclude anything with only numbers. And MINI is historically conservative with performance figures. 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 exit 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.