2025 Mini John Cooper Works EV Spy Shots

The new generation of the distinctive Mini Cooper hatch is scheduled to debut later this year as the 2025 model, and a prototype of the performance grade John Cooper Works The prototype of the performance grade "John Cooper Works" was spotted testing.

However, this JCW prototype is not powered by a gas engine. Instead, it is powered by an electric powertrain that Mini has been developing since at least 2020.

Obvious give-aways are the enclosed grille and lack of exhaust tips.

The new Cooper is available with a choice of gas or electric powertrains. The gas version will use an updated version of the current-generation platform, while the electric version will use a dedicated EV platform developed in China by Spotlight Automotive, a joint venture between Mini's BMW Group parent company and Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor.

Production of the electric version will also take place in China, while the gas-powered version will be built in the UK

. The Cooper E will have a 40.7 kwh battery and a 181 hp electric motor. The Cooper SE will have a 54.2 kwh battery and a 215 hp electric motor.

The electric JCW would combine a 54.2 kwh battery pack and a 300+ hp electric motor. The current JCW hatch's 2.0-liter turbo four produces 228 hp in the standard version and 301 hp in the limited edition JCW GP.

We will know more as we get closer to the launch of the electric JCW, which is expected at the end of 2024.

Even with the arrival of the electric JCW, Mini will still not abandon the gas engine for a high-performance model; the JCW version of the Countryman to be redesigned in 2025 will likely stick with the internal combustion engine, although the new Countryman will also offer an electric powertrain .

Less likely to remain is a manual transmission: the limited edition 2024 JCW 1to6 Edition, launched in May, is rumored to be the last new Mini to feature a third pedal.