Mini Unveils First Electric John Cooper Works Models

Mini’s just shaken up the hot hatch world with its first-ever electric John Cooper Works models. The iconic British brand debuted the JCW Electric and JCW Aceman, both packing some serious electric punch. Car and Driver reports on this electrifying news.

Identical Powertrains, Different Packages

Both new models are rocking the same electric setup:

• 255 horsepower
• 258 pound-feet of torque
• 54.2-kWh battery pack
• Front-wheel drive

The JCW Electric’s the quicker of the two, sprinting from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds. The Aceman’s not far behind at 6.4 seconds.

Go-Kart Mode: Unleashing Extra Power

Here’s where it gets fun. Both cars have a “Go-Kart mode” that unleashes an extra 27 horsepower. You activate it with a steering wheel switch, perfect for those moments when you need a little extra oomph for overtaking.

Range and Performance

On the European WLTP cycle (which tends to be optimistic), the JCW Electric’s good for about 231 miles of range. The Aceman’s rated at 221 miles. Both can hit a top speed of 124 mph when using that Go-Kart mode boost.

Mini’s not skimping on the handling either. They’ve given both models JCW-specific suspension setups and summer tires. They’re aiming to keep that trademark Mini go-kart feel, just with an electric twist.

Bad News for US Fans

Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be seeing these electric hot hatches stateside anytime soon. Mini’s planning to build them exclusively in China until 2026, when production shifts to the UK.

EVXL’s Take

This move by Mini is a huge step for the performance EV world. We’ve seen plenty of luxury and family-oriented EVs, but the hot hatch segment’s been a bit neglected. It’s great to see Mini keeping their performance heritage alive while embracing electrification.

These new JCW models could be game-changers in the Mini EV lineup. They’re proving that electric doesn’t have to mean boring, and that the spirit of the hot hatch is very much alive in the EV era.

What do you think about Mini’s electric John Cooper Works models? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​