The next Mini Cooper John Cooper Works will wear the minimalist design of the new 2025 Cooper but bring back the oversized grille of the last JCW.
Mini showed off the car this week in one of the automotive world’s most ridiculous traditions. They wrapped it in eye-catching camouflage ostensibly designed to hide details, then took pictures of it and released them to the press.
Mini timed the move for the upcoming Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race, where the car will make its first appearance. Bulldog Racing will run JCWs, Mini says, in the SP 3T category.
Electric Version First, Now Gas Model
The 2025 Cooper comes in both electric and gas-powered versions. The same will be true of its fastest variant.
Mini showed the world the electric JCW model in December. Strangely, it got no performance upgrades over the standard electric Cooper.
This is the gas model. Mini provided no details on what moves it, but we expect it will use a more powerful engine and stiffer suspension than non-JCW versions.
Simple Mini Lines, But Maxi Diffuser
The 2025 Cooper is a return to simplicity, with simpler lines than recent Mini designs. The JCW model will keep the smooth-sided silhouette and ring-light headlights. Viewed from the side, you’ll barely be able to tell it’s a JCW. But it carries a larger grille and a set of lower side vents that set it apart from other Coopers when viewed from the front.
In the back sits a comparatively huge diffuser, leaving no doubt. We’d question whether the production car will use one that dramatic, but Mini does not indicate this is just a concept. The next JCW will be least subtle from behind.
We expect mechanical details soon. Race activities start on May 30, a logical date for Mini to drop the performance specifications.
