Electric Mini John Cooper Works Prototype Heads to Goodwood

Mini will unveil a prototype of the upcoming John Cooper Works E, a new high-performance version of its electric Cooper hatch, at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK from July 11-14.

The latest Cooper has been launched with both electric and gas powertrains, and the JCW grade will also feature both. The official debut is this fall.

The gas and electric versions of the newest Cooper are based on separate platforms. While the gas version uses a warmed-over version of the platform that underpins the previous generation Cooper, the electric version is based on a new EV-specific platform developed by Mini in partnership with Great Wall Motor. This difference also applies to the JCW.

Mini has not offered specs for the JCW, but the gas version should be powered by the previous generation's 2.0-liter turbo four, which will probably have slightly more horsepower than the old model's 228. Drive will be front-wheel only, via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The electric JCW would likely combine a 54.2 kwh battery, the largest currently available in the electric Cooper, with a single electric motor on the front axle. Currently, the maximum output of an electric Cooper is 215 hp Cooper SE grade, and the JCW would almost certainly offer more performance than that.

Mini has announced only a gas Cooper for the U.S. market; it will hit showrooms later this year as a 2025 model and will initially be available in base Cooper and sporty Cooper S grades.

All versions of the electric Cooper are built exclusively in China, where imports to the U.S. are subject to high tariffs. Therefore, Mini will likely wait until additional EV production is added at the plant in the UK where the gas version of the car is produced. That is currently scheduled for 2026.