2025 MINI Cooper JCW: The Top 5 Facts You Should Know

The new F66 MINI JCW has been revealed in prototype race car form ahead of its entry at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. But as expected there’s not a lot that MINI has released about the car. Luckily we’ve plenty of exclusive details. Here are the top five facts we’ve learned from our sources that you should know about the new JCW.

1. There’s no power increase

While it’s yet to be officially confirmed, our sources tell us that the 2025 MINI Cooper JCW will not see an increase in horsepower. Unlike the Cooper or the Cooper S, MINI is holding the line on power output and instead bringing some upgrades elsewhere.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any performance upgrades. The F66 JCW will have a slightly revised B48 engine under the hood – more specifically the B48A20O2.

The big performance update will be torque which increases from 236 to 258 lb-ft giving the car a bit more grunt. Perhaps just important, it peaks lower in the rev range than before. Previously in the F56 JCW torque maxed out at 1,450 RPM. The B48A20O2 sees this change to 1,250 RPM meaning maximum power is even more immediate. These are small but subtle differences that point to a slightly quicker or more responsive B48 engine.

2. The Design Will be (Almost) Identical to the JCW Style Package)

As predicted, the design of the new JCW will mostly mirror the optional JCW Trim we’ve already seen on the F66 MINI Cooper. As you can see in the photo above, the front bumper will have real air ducts due to the need to cool the JCW B48 engine and functioning brake ducts which are essential for any track time – and critical at the ‘Ring.

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 had on the F56 JCW.

Around back 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 diffuser 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.

3. Production Begins This November

Both the petrol F66 and electric J01 JCW models will simultaneously debut this October. However, that’s where the similarities will end. The EV version of the JCW will get more power but also weigh roughly 500 lbs more.

There are also rumors we’ll see this very F66 JCW prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this summer ahead of its official debut in October.

4. It Will Be Offered Only With a Dual Clutch Transmission

MINI has killed the manual in its combustion models and that will include the new combustion JCW.

Why would MINI eliminate manuals, even though the F66 is mechanically identical to the F56 and could easily carry over the current Getrag 6-speed? It’s likely about simplifying drivetrain components and cutting costs within manufacturing. And for Europe (where CO2 targets are much more stringent) the manual is slightly dirtier. 

Replacing the manual is a revised 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that promises faster shift times than before and more responsive manual control via the standard steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. 

5. There’s only a single, centered exhaust pipe

These photos also confirm what we’ve reported since last year; the new JCW, is moving from a two pipe single exhaust to a larger single pipe exhaust. In the images above and the exclusive image of the production F66 testing below, you can see a single exhaust pipe (with a stainless steel sleeve), the transversely mounted exhaust and even the aluminum shield underneath it.

Look even closer and you’ll see the production version of the single LED reverse light just above the exhaust tip which (one could imagine) would look somewhat integrated with the cutout of the pipe.

Why a single exhaust pipe? Two key reasons that matter in both racing and on the street: weight savings and better packaging. It will also likely be very close to the design of the F56 JCW, just with a single, larger pipe vs. two smaller ones.

What’s Next?

Look for more photos and videos of the race-prepped JCW as it prepares for the Nürburgring 24 and potentially an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

We should finally see it in full production glory this October alongside its all-electric sibling, the J01 Cooper JCW. Until then look for more exclusive news on both models that should help give us a full picture of MINI’s ultimate Cooper.