Munich may be buzzing about BMW’s first Neue Klasse model, but MINI has quietly commandeered its own spotlight at IAA Mobility 2025 with rumors of two new JCW show cars. Here’s what we know.

MINI will unveil not one but two John Cooper Works show cars, each making its world premiere during the six-day event. Details are still under wraps, yet the brand promises “attention-grabbing presence” that underscores motorsport as a core pillar of MINI DNA. MINI is clear to call these out as JCWs and we’ve also heard that they will be considered collaborations. Might we see special edition Deus Ex Machina MINIs celebrating the Nurburgring partnership? Or is this the long awaited Paul Smith collaboration but in JCW form?

A dual-site offensive across central Munich

Lenbachplatz’s familiar MINI Pavillon (Lenbachplatz 7a) is getting a top-to-bottom makeover, and for good reason. Inside you will find the global debut of two John Cooper Works concepts. Expect a heavy dose of motorsport attitude that traces back to the brand’s earliest Monte Carlo days and most recent Nürburgring class wins. During the show the entire Pavillon will serve as a JCW temple, giving visitors a close look at how MINI intends to keep its performance flame burning in the electric era.

London Vibes at Max-Joseph-Platz

Just across town, MINI will turn Max-Joseph-Platz into a slice of London’s West End. A purpose-built streetscape sets the tone: playful, a touch irreverent, and unmistakably British. Front and center are three all-electric cars, the JCW Electric, Aceman SE, and Countryman SE ALL4, flanked by MINI Service demos and the brand’s new Experience Modes. Thanks to a partnership with SIXT, visitors can even grab the keys and take one of the new electric models for a spin through Munich’s city streets.

Community Day: 13 September

MINI’s loyal fan base gets its own moment in the schedule. On 13 September, owners will rally at Gut Kaltenbrunn on Lake Tegernsee, then convoy to Munich for an evening meetup at the Pavillon. Expect music, a casual barbecue, and plenty of shop talk among classic and modern MINI enthusiasts alike.

MotoringFile’s take

In typical MINI fashion, the brand is using spectacle and story-telling to punch above its weight at a show dominated by tech-heavy EVs. The decision to center everything around JCW, rather than broader sustainability talking points, feels like a welcome return to form.