World Exclusive: New Performance Details on Both The F66 & J01 MINI JCWs

We got our first official look at the two new MINI Cooper JCWs at Goodwood today and along with it our best photos yet of both the electric J01 and petrol F66 models. But perhaps more importantly, we have plenty of new exclusive details including J01 JCW power and weight figures. So grab your favorite beverage and buckle-up. We have a lot to share.

The Design of the New MINI Cooper JCW

The J01 and the F66 may look very similar but they couldn’t be more different. If you look at these photos long enough you’ll notice both the inherent similarities and differences between the two. But first, we’re going to focus on what we know applies to both cars. As we’ve reported, the JCW Trim design we’ve seen on the standard J01 and F66 will form the basis of the full JCW model in overall look. So much so that they will be very hard to distinguish for the average consumer save for a few details. Whether you think that’s a mistake by MINI (we certainly do) or like the egalitarian approach, it does help us get a clear picture of the final design.

As you can see above there are almost no visible differences between the cars. But there are if you look closer. First the 18″ wheels on J01 prototype appear to be exclusively designed for the JCW model. For the F66 it’s a complicated story as this is the same car that won its class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours thus it wears racing OZ wheels. So what will eventually come to production is still unknown.

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 identical to what we’ve had on the F56 JCW. You’ll also notice that the word “Cooper” is nowhere to be found oh the gloss black rear trim. In fact it’s nowhere to be found on the call at all outside of the “John Cooper Works” badging.

Otherwise that’s it. There are no exclusive colors or other styling elements. Even the “exclusive” Legend Grey exterior color is freely optional on the JCW Trim (as you can see above).

But for all the similarities between how these cars look, they couldn’t be more different when it comes to powertrains.

The F66 Petrol MINI Cooper JCW

The F66 MINI Cooper JCW is an evolution of the F56 that preceded it with some important differences. But first a word about the F66 JCW you see here. It’s actually the race car that finished first in class at the Nurburgring 24 Hours and thus has some important modifications over what we’ll see this October when the F66 JCW finally debuts.

To withstand 24 Hours on the ‘Ring, Bulldog Racing installed a full coil-over suspension, AP racing braking system, roll cage, fuel cell and finished it off with some lightweight OZ wheels and racing slicks. So while this is the new JCW underneath, it’s got some key differences over the forthcoming production car.

What is the same is the drivetrain and the horsepower figure of 231 hp. However there’s one big difference under the hood. We can confirm the F66 JCW’s B48A20O2 four cylinder has an output of 280 ft lbs of torque. That’s a massive 45 ft lbs (16%) increase torque over the previous generation and only 15 ft lbs behind the new Countryman JCW. This along with the wider track and quicker DCT transmission will give the new JCW a noticeable performance advantage despite having the same power figure.

Exclusive 2025 F66 MINI JCW Specifications

But things aren’t all improvements. Unfortunately along with this performance improvement the new F66 JCW has a slight 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.

Outside 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 defuser 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.

The J01 Electric MINI Cooper JCW

The electric MINI JCW easily surpasses the petrol F66 MINI Cooper JCW in terms of outright horsepower. Sources tell us to expect a power output of 252 hp vs 231 hp from the F66. Surprisingly the J01 JCW will actually have a bit less torque than the F66 with 255 ft lbs. But given its electric motor and the instantaneous nature of its torque, it may feel even quicker off the line. Given that we expect 0-60 times likely in the mid 5 second range.

MINI has been limiting its electric cars to 170 km/h (105.6 mph) due to the car’s already limited range. However they’ve made the decision to lift that limit which allows the J01 JCW to reach a top speed of 124 mph – quite a ways off of the 152 from the F66 JCW.

Speaking of range, we can confirm the battery size will remain the same as the SE models at 54.2 kWh with 49.2 kWh usable. Because of the increased performance, we’d expect range to decrease a bit – perhaps as much as 5-10%. That could take the 250 mile WLTP range down to between 225-237 miles.

MINI will follow its typical formula with mild revisions to suspension settings from the standard J01 SE rather than a wholesale suspension redesign that we’d see in a BMW M car. Think of this new JCW (and all standard JCW models for that matter) as following the BMW M Performance strategy of upgrading suspension and braking components rather than anything radically different.

One thing that is new and a big visual differentiator between the F66 JCW and even the J01 Cooper SE with the JCW Style are those aero optimized 18″ wheels. It’s unclear what brakes those wheels are hiding underneath but sources tell us to expect a larger four piston set-up.

F66 JCW & J01 JCW: Direct Comparisons

This is the first time that MINI has put not just these two JCWs together, but these two MINI models literally next to each other. And before we talk about the JCW specifics, we have to take a moment to talk about just how strikingly different aspects of these cars are. As we’ve said in our previous hands-on video, the first thing you notice on the J01 is how much further the windshield is raked. Then there’s the higher belt line that makes the J01 feel larger despite it being slightly smaller in some dimensions.

Looks and dimensions aside, it’s the new performance data that we’ve received from our sources that is the more interesting thing here. Sources tell us to expect 252 hp for the J01 while the F66 JCW will still only have a 231 hp output from its four cylinder.

Not surprisingly torque is up for both cars JCW. As we reported last week, ources have confirmed to MotoringFile that the F66 JCW will have 280 ft lbs making this B48 quite a bit more punchy than what we had before. What new here are the J01 JCW figures. We’ve confirmed via sources that the J01 will have a bit less torque with 255 ft lbs. However given the nature of its electric motor, it might feel similar since it delivers 100% of that torque the moment you press the accelerator.

Top speed is another surprise on both cars. The F66 JCW is getting closer to reaching GP numbers with a top speed of 152 mph. As we mentioned earlier, the J01 tops out at only 124 mph.

But the biggest difference isn’t the power or even the top speed. It’s the weight. With its battery pack the J01 JCW is a heavyweight at 3,814 lbs (with the driver). That’s an astonishing 717 lbs heavier than the F66. Granted that weight most near the ground due to the nature of tue battery design, it’s still a lot of weight. Needless to say, driving these two cars back to back will be fascinating.

2025 Electric MINI Cooper JCW – Launch Timing and North American Availability

Both the electric and petrol JCW models will debut October 24th right here on MotoringFile. Production of the combustion F66 will start in November while the electric J01 will kick-off in January.

The J01 MINI Cooper JCW like all new small electric MINIs are made in China in collaboration with Great Wall Motors. Why? Designing and engineering cars for global markets is a huge investment for a small brand like MINI and doing that for both an electric and internal combustion is nearly impossible. So MINI partnered with Spotlight Motors – a joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China to gain scale and production expertise. Unfortunately months after the ink was dry a global trade war escalated with tariffs on Chinese cars in the US. Since then things have only gotten worse for MINI with similar tariffs being announced in Europe and the UK made in Europe.

Given these moves, MINI has aggressively changed its plans and announced its intention to produce its new electric models in Oxford. After a major expansion, the plan will begin producing the J01, J03 and J05 from 2026 onward. This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied likely around 2026.

As always check back with MotoringFile often for more exclusive news on MINI’s new JCW products including two more models we’ll see sooner than you might expect.

2025 MINI Cooper JCW Prototype Gallery