Monday 19th August 2024

New Mini JCW confirmed for autumn

Both petrol and electric flagships are coming soon, promising 'an unmistakable JCW experience'

---

With hot hatches, especially small ones, now so thin on the ground, news of another Mini JCW with a petrol engine feels very welcome indeed. The fact was confirmed back in May; now we know that the reveal of the latest John Cooper Works is coming ‘in fall 2024’. Given it’s September next weekend (sorry to remind you), hopefully that isn’t far away. 

Mini still isn’t giving much away for now, only suggesting that the new car will offer an engine ‘that delivers relentless power and a chassis tuned for precision.’ Which sounds like a good combination for a fast Mini to boast, especially as the previous gen JCW - even with a manual gearbox, then even as a 300hp auto GP - never quite gelled as a package. Certainly they weren’t quite as riotously entertaining as previous versions boasting 200hp and up were. 

Perhaps the involvement of Bulldog Racing (the team that built the class-winning Mini at this year’s very short Nurburgring 24 Hours) will help bring the JCW to life. Mini has shown its willingness to collaborate with Bulldog thanks to the two-seat special edition shown last year; now it says the involvement of a motorsport outfit has been ‘instrumental in ensuring that the new JCW models meet the rigorous demands of both the racetrack and the road.’ So that’s encouraging, for sure.

Bulldog has also been lending a hand with the electric JCW that’s coming, Mini suggesting that both ICE and EV have been ‘meticulously engineered to deliver the unmistakable JCW experience, characterized by sharp handling, impressive acceleration, and an unwavering connection to the road.’ While it would appear that the new Cooper SE works very well as a small EV, it’s perhaps missing a bit of fast Mini pizzazz - let’s hope the JCW can deliver it. 

With the petrol powered JCW PROtotype having done the business at the Nordschleife and the the electric equivalent run up the Goodwood hill, there really isn’t much more to know now than the outputs and final appearance. Might these be the JCWs to properly reestablish the Mini as a hot hatch great?

---

• Two-seat Mini returns with Bulldog Racing Edition
• 2021 Mini JCW | PH Review

[Sion111R]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 20 August 2024 at 10:28

[Demonix]

Prefer the styling of the earlier R56 and R53, later models just became bigger and bloated losing the cheeky pocket rocket looks. Current iterations are really bland in comparison.

[Donovfarm]

Ah there we go, announcement of magnificent new model complete with obligatory and previously unidentified criticism of the previous version. Do look forward to reading criticism of the new cars’ interior quality though. I’ve both a JCW 1-6 and a new Cooper C and the new car interior has had so much cost taken out (cheap plastics, single piece panels etc) that I’m left seriously wondering (worrying?) where else they sought savings, it has a weird “driving an empty box” driving dynamics vibe.

Edited by Donovfarm on Tuesday 20th August 11:36

[CKY]

Donovfarm said:

Ah there we go, announcement of magnificent new model

Where???

Donovfarm said:

...complete with obligatory and previously unidentified criticism of the previous version. Do look forward to reading criticism of the new cars’ interior quality though. I’ve both a JCW 1-6 and a new Cooper C and the new car interior has had so much cost taken out (cheap plastics, single piece panels etc) that I’m left seriously wondering (worrying?) where else they sought savings, it has a weird “driving an empty box” driving dynamics vibe.

Edited by Donovfarm on Tuesday 20th August 11:36

Bit ironic.

[mooseracer]

"small" petrol hot hatches are very thin on the ground now with the Fiesta and i20 gone.
I wonder how many they'll sell and will it have to be priced high to put people off and so avoid the EV percentage tax?

[SteveKTMer]

The R53 Cooper S JCW with 210bhp was peak BMW Mini. Like a little go-kart, quick enough to be fun, great handling, lovely noise which wasn't obnoxious, sufficient room, nice interior and reliable when serviced and cheap.

Everything after that, poorly engineered, grew larger (I assume) to meet safety regulations, became more bland and less Mini more BMW. Smart persons alternative to 1 series.

[craigjm]

Donovfarm said:

Ah there we go, announcement of magnificent new model complete with obligatory and previously unidentified criticism of the previous version. Do look forward to reading criticism of the new cars’ interior quality though. I’ve both a JCW 1-6 and a new Cooper C and the new car interior has had so much cost taken out (cheap plastics, single piece panels etc) that I’m left seriously wondering (worrying?) where else they sought savings, it has a weird “driving an empty box” driving dynamics vibe.

Edited by Donovfarm on Tuesday 20th August 11:36

Isnt that the whole point of a mini? a car with just whats needed.

[pb8g09]

Looks st.

Prefer the old ones. Won't buy it.

[Gericho]

Donovfarm said:

Ah there we go, announcement of magnificent new model complete with obligatory and previously unidentified criticism of the previous version.

Now that you've pointed it out, it is a bit tedious. Always the same criticism of something that can't be quantified and is totally subjective.

[Antj]

As a very happy owner of an i20N. I fear the hot hatch is pretty much dead now.

This will be the last hurrah i fear. But i doubt it will be much more than a facelifted JCW .

before people shout Civic type r- Golf R- Cupra Leon, and Yaris GR. i am aware, but true hot hatches were cheap punchy little cars , like the original Ep3, Clio 182, XR2's , 205 Gti etc.. Cheap small hatches .

so i applaud this even if it probably won't be the last word in hot hatch anymore. Group tests will be hard i bet

[WayOutWest]

Antj said:

As a very happy owner of an i20N. I fear the hot hatch is pretty much dead now.

This will be the last hurrah i fear. But i doubt it will be much more than a facelifted JCW .

before people shout Civic type r- Golf R- Cupra Leon, and Yaris GR. i am aware, but true hot hatches were cheap punchy little cars , like the original Ep3, Clio 182, XR2's , 205 Gti etc.. Cheap small hatches .

so i applaud this even if it probably won't be the last word in hot hatch anymore. Group tests will be hard i bet

"The Toyota GR Yaris has a RRP range of £44,250 to £60,000. Prices start at £45,750 if paying cash".

Let's see how much it undercuts that by. But there really isn't much/any competition in the class below. I quite like the new front end of the petrol one in JCW guise, the grille is an improvement on the 2021 facelift one. Although it has lost the bonnet scoop, and still not sure about those rear lights.

About 250bhp and an improved chassis could be enough to hope for.

[FA57REN]

SteveKTMer said:

Everything after that, poorly engineered, grew larger (I assume) to meet safety regulations, became more bland and less Mini more BMW. Smart persons alternative to 1 series.

I doubt it's associated with safety regulations, when smaller cars like a Suzuki Ignis pass the crash tests.

It's more about maintaining the image as a premium hatch, so needs to be bigger with more space for tat and tech.

[CG2020UK]

Antj said:

As a very happy owner of an i20N. I fear the hot hatch is pretty much dead now.

This will be the last hurrah i fear. But i doubt it will be much more than a facelifted JCW .

before people shout Civic type r- Golf R- Cupra Leon, and Yaris GR. i am aware, but true hot hatches were cheap punchy little cars , like the original Ep3, Clio 182, XR2's , 205 Gti etc.. Cheap small hatches .

so i applaud this even if it probably won't be the last word in hot hatch anymore. Group tests will be hard i bet

Totally agree

Small hot hatches were brilliant and will be missed

[nismo48]

Good effort I reckon..
Maybe a reboot of the Italian Job
Albeit with artificial sound affects thrown in

[Black S2K]

Gericho said:

Donovfarm said:

Ah there we go, announcement of magnificent new model complete with obligatory and previously unidentified criticism of the previous version.

Now that you've pointed it out, it is a bit tedious. Always the same criticism of something that can't be quantified and is totally subjective.

I find the hypocrisy a bit tedious - the journalists want to be invited back, so are a bit unforthcoming about defects.

I've often driven a much-praised car, only to notice things.

Then the things I've noticed get mentioned once the car is in its twilight.

When 'Car' was good, they weren't as afraid to criticise things and to not be invited back.

[WCZ]

might be interested in the EV if it has a crap load of power