Electrifying debut! Aussie pricing and timing revealed for first hot JCW EV Mini hatch and JCW Aceman SUV

December 20, 2024December 19, 2024 Iain Curry 768 Views 0 Comments Aceman, Hatch, JCW, Mini

The first all-electric John Cooper Works Minis arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2025 with the hot hatchback priced from $63,990 and the small SUV Aceman version from $65,990 (bth prices before on-roads).

The much-heralded JCW badge brings with it them sporty styling and performance enhancements.

It is a badge that traces back to the 1960s when independent tuner John Cooper developed the original Mini Cooper – pictured top with latest hatch. JCW is now a part of Mini and a subsidiary of BMW.

Their pricing pitch both vehicles squarely into a very busy, quality-packed arena. Circa $60k offerings include the Tesla Model 3 AWD, Tesla Model Y RWD, BYD Seal Premium, Volvo EX30, Hyundai Kona Electric, Polestar 2 and Cupra Born.

Both the five-door Mini hatch and raised Mini Aceman SUV with John Cooper Works fettling use a single motor sending 190kW and 350Nm through the front wheels.

The JCW Mini hatch cracks 100km/h in 5.9 seconds and JCW Aceman in 6.4 seconds, with both scoring a top speed of 200km/h.

Both feature an overboost “go kart” mode, activated by one of the steering wheel-mounted paddles to add an extra 20kW of power for short bursts.

Both JCW Minis also employ the same 54.2kWh battery, providing a WLTP-rated range of 371km for the JCW Hatch and up to 355km for the JCW Aceman.

The JCWs e-motor performance claims are an improvement over the Mini Electric SE‘s 160kW/330Nm, but the JCW’s outright acceleration figures are hardly earth-shattering.

A similarly-priced Volvo EX30‘s single motor with 200kW/343Nm manages the 0-100km/h sprint in a JCW Mini-bashing 5.3 seconds.

But driving a Mini – especially anything badged JCW – is much more about outright handling and overall experience.

Both Hatch and Aceman score a bespoke sportier suspension tune and ride on grippier Hankook Ion Evo R rubber specifically developed for fast EVs. These coat JCW 18-inch alloy wheels on the Hatch and larger JCW 19s for the Aceman.

Performance brakes with red and white JCW calipers increase braking power, while aesthetics include a sportier front bumper, black side skirts, new rear bumper with black accents, rear spoiler, chequered flag JCW badging and different daytime-running lights over garden variety Mini EVs.

Mini-spotters will note extra red accents on the front bumper air curtains, while a contrasting red/black roof panel and body stripes are optional.

Specification highlights for Aussie Mini JCWs include a panoramic glass roof, surround view camera, Harman/Kardon audio, augmented reality navigation, heated, power and memory front seats and adaptive cruise control.

Inside are JCW-branded sport seats coated in half synthetic leather and fabric with red stitching. The dash is wrapped in knitted black and red fabric in a fancy chequered pattern.

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Iain Curry

A motoring writer and photographer for two decades, Iain started in print magazines in London as editor of Performance BMW and features writer for BMW Car, GT Porsche and 4Drive magazines. His love of motor sport and high performance petrol cars was rudely interrupted in 2011 when he was one of the first journalists to drive BMW's 1 Series ActiveE EV, and has been testing hybrids, PHEVs and EVs for Australian newspapers ever since. Based near Noosa in Queensland, his weekly newspaper articles cover new vehicle reviews and consumer advice, while his photography is regularly seen on the pages of glossy magazines.