The 2025 MINI JCW Electrical Is Fast, Quirky, and Difficult

It’s an odd time to be a scorching hatch. The basic system—small, rowdy, inner combustion hooligans—has gone quiet, changed by a brand new wave of electrified efficiency vehicles trying to decide up the torch. Alpine has achieved it with the wonderful A290. Abarth gave it a very good go together with the 500e. Now, it’s MINI’s flip.

The all-new 2025 MINI John Cooper Works Electrical, identified internally because the J01, marks a historic first: a JCW badge on a battery-powered MINI hatch. Constructed on a unique platform than the petrol-powered F66 JCW, the J01 should show itself on extra than simply straight-line stats. And that’s the place issues get difficult.

Similar JCW Perspective, Completely different Soul

At first look, you’d wrestle to inform the JCW Electrical other than its petrol sibling. Upclose, you’ll discover a extra aerodynamic and sporty front-end as much as the A-pillar. The clamshell bonnet has been phased out as a consequence of pedestrian security laws, whereas the plastic wheel arch cladding was eliminated to scale back aerodynamic drag. If you happen to had been to view the J01 from immediately above, you’d discover its rear finish tapers extra noticeably in comparison with the F66, which has a squarer, extra upright profile. Total, I just like the front-end of the J01 much more than the F66, however I discover the rear-end of the latter to be extra enticing and daring.

MI

After all, MINI’s acquainted design cues are current: aggressive entrance and rear bumpers, pink brake calipers, a daring rear spoiler, and pink trim accents peppered all through. The basic three-door silhouette stays a rarity within the EV world—an interesting quirk that helps anchor this automotive in MINI’s custom of cheeky, compact efficiency.

There’s a satisfying muscularity to the outside with out overdoing it. Aerodynamically optimized 18-inch alloys, a gloss-black trim pack, and the compulsory JCW badging all assist the Electrical make a press release, even when it’s not one which shouts. Six exterior colours are provided, with Chili Pink II as the usual. British Racing Inexperienced IV can also be accessible for a premium, and all hues may be paired with distinction roof finishes. The Midnight Black II I drove was good!

A Cabin That Nails the Temper

Inside, the JCW Electrical nails the MINI temporary. The 9.4-inch spherical OLED touchscreen takes centre stage, working MINI OS 9 and that includes a devoted JCW mode with real-time energy and g-force knowledge. Materials high quality is respectable: pink distinction stitching, black sports activities seats, a 6-o’clock strap on the wheel, and JCW branding on the sills all create an atmosphere that feels spirited.

There’s a satisfying mix of cheeky design and premium tactility. Dashboard supplies function a chequered knit sample, the steering wheel strap replaces a decrease spoke, and there’s a playful use of pink particulars all through. Nevertheless, the driving place within the J01 is barely larger than the petrol JCW—noticeable and never universally preferred amongst testers.

Rear legroom stays tight, and the 210-liter boot is barely usable for something past each day errands. It may be expanded to 800 liters when the rear seats are folded. With solely 4 seats complete, this stays a automotive designed for solo or paired enjoyment, not household highway journeys.

Electrical Punch, Petrol Weight

Efficiency is brisk. With 258 horsepower and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, the JCW Electrical delivers a 0-62 mph dash in 5.9 seconds—faster than each the ICE JCW and the bigger Aceman JCW. A pink ‘Enhance’ paddle delivers brief bursts of peak output (together with 20 extra horsepower). However right here’s the catch: the automotive weighs 1,730 kg (3,813 lbs)—325 kg (716 lbs) heavier than the petrol model F66. That weight is felt in corners, particularly underneath laborious braking or fast adjustments in route. MINI has opted for stiffer suspension and 30 minute aggressive entrance camber, however the added heft and lack of a limited-slip differential might be felt underneath heavy cornering.

Torque steer is actual and dramatic within the J01. Far more than within the F66 petrol JCW, and definitely greater than the Aceman JCW. At full throttle, the steering wheel calls for your consideration. It’s not harmful, however it’s forceful—intentionally so. Engineers deliberately left some torque steer within the combine, believing it presents invaluable driver suggestions and connection.

To mitigate understeer, MINI developed a yaw momentum enhancement system that makes use of refined braking inputs to rotate the automotive in corners—much like BMW M’s MDM mode. It permits a touch of playfulness with out eradicating the protection web completely.

Experience High quality: Higher Than Anticipated, However Might Be Improved

Now right here’s a twist: in comparison with the petrol F66 JCW, the J01 Electrical’s suspension may very well really feel extra compliant on tough UK roads. The ICE mannequin makes use of frequency-selective dampers (FSD)—intelligent mechanical items that soften or stiffen relying on the kind of bump. It’s a wise system that provides the F66 a nuanced, versatile experience.

The J01 Electrical, nevertheless, makes use of a less complicated, sport-tuned suspension. MINI tried a extra superior system in early improvement however weren’t glad with the outcomes on the heavier electrical platform. As an alternative, they returned to conventional spring and damper tuning—and surprisingly, it appears to work higher than anticipated. There’s barely extra absorption of pavement imperfections within the J01, regardless of it missing FSD tech. Much less suspension journey general helps the automotive really feel extra composed over fast undulations. It’s nonetheless agency, however not fairly as spine-jarring as I anticipated.

Nonetheless, after a few hours on backroads, you’ll begin to really feel the fixed, jittery floor suggestions. And whereas the dealing with is sharp, the absence of a limited-slip differential means the automotive doesn’t at all times put down energy cleanly on uneven surfaces. Whereas it doesn’t have the basic Go-Kart feeling, there’s little or no doubt that it nonetheless looks like a MINI, only a bit totally different than what we’re used to.

Battery, Vary and Charging

The JCW Electrical makes use of a 54.2 kWh battery (49.2 kWh usable) and quotes a WLTP vary of 251 miles. Actual-world driving—particularly spirited—will almost certainly give it a decrease vary. Nonetheless, it’s respectable for the section and the perfect you are able to do with that battery chemistry from BMW Group. Actually, the Gen6 battery and motor tech would enhance an electrical Cooper additional. DC quick charging as much as 95 kW permits a ten–80% top-up in 31 minutes. AC charging at 11 kW takes about 5.5 hours for a full cost.

One quiet however vital problem for MINI was tire choice. Sport tires sometimes enhance rolling resistance, lowering EV vary. Engineers needed to strike a steadiness between grip and effectivity.

Verdict: Shut, However Not Fairly There

There’s lots to love about MINI’s first electrical JCW. The design is spot-on, the inside is sweet for its section, and the efficiency stats look sturdy on paper and on the highway. It’s even fairly priced at 41,250 euros in Germany.

But it surely’s not but the electrical revolution we hoped for. The torque steer is just too aggressive, the experience consolation might be improved whereas the burden is tough to fully disguise it in a small automotive just like the J01. Nonetheless, it’s a noble first try. If MINI can refine the suspension tuning and maybe discover adaptive dampers in a future model, the subsequent JCW Electrical might be a really nice drive.

For these able to embrace an electrical scorching hatch with persona, the J01 Cooper JCW reveals MINI hasn’t forgotten the way to make vehicles that stir emotion—even when it stirs your backbone a bit an excessive amount of.