First-Ever Electric MINI JCW Storming Goodwood FoS Next Week

The electric hot hatch will celebrate its world premiere at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed next week. The company refers to it as the MINI John Cooper Works E PROtotype and states it will prove its mettle by attacking the iconic hill climb.

Nevertheless, while it will be presented in motion, proving that it can cope with the occasional thrashing, the new MINI JCW E PROtotype won't be fully uncovered at the event. Instead, the car manufacturer says it will debut later this year and reminds its fans that the JCW lineup will include both battery-electric and gasoline-fed models.

The latter refers to the 2025 MINI JCW, which is nothing more than a mid-cycle refresh of the outgoing one. The incoming subcompact hot hatch sports the usual design updates at the front and rear, including new headlights, a larger grille with a different pattern, different taillights, a new spoiler, a large diffuser, and cladding with a glossy black look.

Power comes from a re-tuned engine, which is a TwinPower Turbo unit with yet-undisclosed output and thrust. Mind you, it will likely be a bit punchier than its predecessor, which puts 228 hp (231 ps/170 kW) and 236 pound-feet (320 Nm) of torque under the right pedal. Certain outlets speak of a 10 to 20 horsepower boost, and the updated hot hatch will offer a stick shift besides the self-shifting transmission.

MINI said the ICE-powered 2025 John Cooper Works hot hatch will be unveiled later this fall. Thus, we expect the first copies to cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach our shores for the 2025 model year. The revised model may be slightly more expensive than the outgoing one, which starts at $35,400, and deliveries will probably kick off early next year in the United States and late 2024 overseas.

But when is its electric sibling due? The BMW Group-owned car manufacturer hasn't announced the date yet, so we expect it around the same time as the ICE-powered one.

On a final note, MINI will have other new cars on display at next week's Goodwood Festival of Speed. These will include the Countryman, the Aceman, and the Cooper, which will be showcased in three-door and the newly unveiled five-door variant. The Cooper Electric will also sit under the spotlight  in Electric Avenue.

So, would you ever consider ditching the ICE-powered MINI JCW and choosing the EV one instead? Tell us all about it in the comments area below.