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.
| Model | F56 Cooper JCW | F66 Cooper JCW |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 231 hp | 231 hp |
| Torque | 235 lb-ft/1450 rpm | 258 lb-ft/1,250 rpm |
| Transmission | Manual/Auto | 7 speed DCT |
| Drivetrain | front-wheel | front-wheel |
| Length (mm/in) | 3863mm/152.1 in | 3876mm/152.6 in |
| Height (mm/in) | 1414mm/55.66 in | 1432mm / 56.38 in |
| Wheelbase (mm/in) | 2495mm/98.23 in | 2495mm/98.23 |
| Curb weight (kg/lbs) | 1295 kg / 2855 lbs | TBA |
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.
| 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 |
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.
The side skirt is 100% the same with the F56 LCI2 JCW. It’s like they forget to change it but its very nice too. The rear defuser it’s very aggressive and harsh for the street version but it’s stunning. I believe it will be redesign to look alike but in street has no meaning. In track on the other hand makes sense. I never like the overdose elements in a MINI (I always hated the plastic thinks over the wheel in the GP3 and I wasn’t the only one. Too much effort, not even the supercars do that). Although I used to have double exhaust pipes, I like this one and in the future I will change mine in the F66.
I wrote it before, I am a fun of the new MINI and in a few months an owner too, and I like very much the new JCW. I wish to have the money but I am happy with my choice. I read here that it’s the faster JCW till now (DCT rules) and I hope to get a place in the podium at the Ring!
It’ll be cool to see the F56 JCW 1to6 and the F66 JCW head-to-head, but what about the J01 JCW? That instant torque would do wonders on a rally course.