Exclusive: Electric MINI Cooper JCW Power, Performance and Release Details

Last week we gave you a sneak peek of the last ever combustion powered (F66) MINI Cooper JCW. Today we’re doing the same for the highly anticipated electric (J01) MINI Cooper JCW. Thanks to exclusive sources, we’ve got some surprising details on the first ever electric JCW including power and launch timing.

Let’s start with the big news. Thank to a revised electric motor, the J01 MINI JCW will easily surpass 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 petrol powered F66. However 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.

The F66 JCW vs the J01 JCW

The J01 may have the edge on the F66 in terms of power, but as the chart below shows, reality is much more nuanced. The F66 has a substantial 717 lbs weight advantage over the J01 and thus we expect it to be faster around most tracks. Then there’s the torque from the F66 which will allow for more grunt out of corners.

Then there’s the outright speed. The F66 will top out at 152 mph while the electric J01 will be limited to 124 mph (likely for battery efficiency reasons). Put it all together and it would seem (on paper) that the petrol powered JCW will be the faster of the two in many circumstances.

Except perhaps for one. With its instantaneous torque, the J01 may actually be the faster of the two in those short, stop light drag races.

2025 J01 MINI Cooper JCW – Launch Timing and Availability

The J01 MINI Cooper JCW will debut October 24th right here on MotoringFile (alongside the F66). Production will start in January of 2025 and should reach most showrooms in March of 2025. The exception being North America will it will not be sold initially.

Given that the J01 JCW is initially being made in China by MINI’s partner Spotlight Motors, there are no North America imports. However that should change in 2026 as MINI is set to expand production to the MINI’s Oxford UK plant. This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied.