Like the J01 MINI Cooper JCW, the electric Aceman JCW has been leaked by a Chinese regulatory agency. This gives us our first photos and new details on MINI’s new hot crossover, and there’s a lot to take in along with a few surprises.

Aceman JCW Design

Like all new MINIs, the JCW trim design we’ve seen on the standard MINI Aceman will form the basis of the full JCW model. However, there are a few subtle changes.

The most obvious changes are the red vertical trim pieces on the front bumper, a consistent element on all JCWs. Next, there are the new, aero-optimized 19” JCW wheels and larger red JCW brake calipers. Around the back, there’s an additional lower body-colored trim piece that slots into the rear bumper, integrating with the existing diffuser.”

MINI Aceman JCW Performance

The all-electric J05 MINI Aceman JCW will be mechanically identical to the J01 Cooper JCW. That means we’ll see a revised electric motor with a power output of 252 hp. We expect 0-60 times to be 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 limited range. However, they’ve decided to lift that limit, allowing the J01 JCW to reach a top speed of 124 mph—quite a difference from the 155 mph of the U25 Countryman JCW.

J05 MINI Aceman EJ05 MINI Cooper SE2025 J05 Aceman JCW2025 J01 MINI JCW
Horsepower184 hp218 hp255 hp255 hp
Torque214 lb-ft243 lb-ft252 lb-ft252 ft-lbs
Range (WLTP)183 – 193 miles237 – 253 milesTBATBA
Battery Size40kWh54kWh54kWh*54kWh*
All numbers provided by MINI except * which are confirmed only through unofficial sources.

MINI will also be updating the suspension calibration and offering larger brakes. Expect four-piston brakes up front with a single-piston design in the rear.

With these performance updates, there will be a downside—reduced range. While we don’t have figures from MINI, we’ve been told to expect a slight reduction in range due to the nature of the modifications and the fact that MINI will carry over the battery technology and size from the SE.

2025 MINI Aceman JCW Production & Release Timing

Both the electric MINI Cooper JCW and MINI Aceman JCW will debut in Q3 of 2024 and begin production in January 2024. This production will start in China but will expand to MINI’s Oxford Plant in the UK in 2026, likely paving the way for North American deliveries. Until then, the electric MINI Aceman JCW will be exclusively available in Asia, Europe, and South America.

But this isn’t the only new JCW offering MINI will unveil this year. MINI will debut the electric J01 Cooper JCW and the petrol F66 Cooper JCW later this year, with production to follow shortly afterward.

What do you think? Does the Aceman JCW tempt you?