For over a year now we’ve told you the F66 (petrol) MINI JCW will not see an increase in power. While we can once again confirm that data-point, it turns out that was just half the picture. Thanks to our trusted sources, we have the final specifications of the new petrol powered F66 MINI JCW and we’ve uncovered a major upgrade not previously known.
It all started with the Nurburgring 24 Hours lap times. The 2024 F56 JCW had a fastest lap of 10:44.118 around the full circuit (which includes the GP track). Not a bad time until we saw the F66 JCW’s astonishing pace of 10:06.773. How could that be given the cars had the same horsepower rating? Surely the DCT in the new JCW helped but there’s no way it could account for that much of a gap.
It turns out there’s a more important difference between the two cars – torque. We can now confirm the new petrol F66 MINI JCW’s B48A20O2 four cylinder has an output of 280 ft lbs of torque. That’s only 15 ft lbs behind the new Countryman JCW and a massive 45 ft lbs (16%) increase torque over the previous generation. This along with the wider track and quicker transmission appear to give the new JCW a noticeable performance advantage despite having the same power figure.
2025 F66 MINI JCW Full Specification
Model | F56 Cooper JCW | F66 Cooper JCW |
---|---|---|
Power | 231 hp | 231 hp |
Torque | 235 lb-ft / 1450 rpm | 280 lb-ft / 1,500 rpm |
Transmission | Manual/Auto | 7 speed DCT |
Track | 1485 mm / 58 in | 1499 mm / 59 in |
Length (mm/in) | 3863 mm / 152.5 in | 3879 mm / 152.7 in |
Height (mm/in) | 1414 mm / 55.66 in | 1431 mm / 56.38 in |
Wheelbase (mm/in) | 2495 mm / 98.23 in | 2495 mm / 98.23 |
Curb weight (kg/lbs) | 1338 kg / 2,951 lbs | 1405 kg / 3,097 lbs |
But things aren’t all improvements. Unfortunately along with this performance improvement the new F66 JCW has an increase in weight at 3,097 lbs. Unfortunately it’s hard to pin down a like for like weight at this time but based on what we know, we believe that’s the weight figure including fluids, fuel and 90% and a driver. If so that would compare with the 2,951 lbs we’ve seen listed with the previous generation F56 JCW auto. In other words it appears the new F66 MINI Cooper JCW is 146 lbs heavier than the previous generation.
Dual Clutch Transmission Only
The production F66 JCW that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 was dual clutch and as you can see in the spy photo of the prototype above, there are clearly shift paddles and no manual. While this will undoubtedly improve shift times it also takes away a crucial connection to the car and the joy so many of us get from a manual transmission.
The transmission in the F66 JCW race car is the same revised 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that we’ll see in the production JCW which is a slightly revised a version of the transmission in the F66 Cooper S. We’re told to expect faster shift times than the F66 Cooper S and previous generation JCW and more responsive manual control via the standard steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
When Will The F66 JCW Debut?
This weekend MINI will again show the F66 JCW that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Alongside will be the first electric JCW – the J01 MINI Cooper jCW E. We’ll finally see the new petrol F66 JCW in full production glory in late 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.
What is the horsepower and torque on the new J01 MINI Cooper JCWE (aka Johnny)?
CO2 emissions are missing, do you know them?
Can’t imagine a track width increase of 14mm (1/2″) could make much difference. The torque is the biggest factor.