2025 Mini John Cooper Works hot hatch, convertible unveiled

Mini has taken the covers off its new petrol-powered John Cooper Works (JCW) hatchback and Convertible, ahead of an Australian launch within the next nine months.

Unveiled a week after the battery-powered John Cooper Works Electric three-door and five-door Aceman, the petrol-powered JCW hatchback (Cooper) and JCW Convertible are largely a heavy update of the previous-generation model.

When the pair arrive in the second quarter of 2025, they’ll follow a familiar formula which has made Australia one of the biggest markets for the hot JCW models, with more than 16 per cent of the brand’s deliveries last year consisting of the performance flagship grades.

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Despite their new looks, the Mini JCW offerings are unchanged under the skin, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine continuing to produce 170kW of power and 320Nm of torque.

While they remain front-wheel drive, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission replaces the eight-speed torque-converter of the outgoing models, as has become common in models on this platform.

There’s been almost no change to the pair’s 0-100km/h times, with the hot hatch continuing to complete the sprint in a claimed 6.1 seconds, while the convertible now takes 6.4 seconds (just one-tenth quicker).

This means the petrol-powered JCW hatchback is less powerful and slower in the 0-100km/h sprint than its electric sibling, which produces 190kW/350Nm and can do the dash in a claimed 5.9 seconds.

As expected, the new hottest Minis feature looks inspired by the broader Cooper range, which includes new-look headlights, a revised grille and tail lights which no longer feature the Union Jack motif.

Though their design is largely identical to the JCW Electric, the petrol-powered versions can be distinguished by their large open grilles and single central exhaust tips – a move away from the twin-tip look used in recent years.

Overseas, buyers have the choice of optioning red or black bonnet stripes, while Chilli Red brake calipers with the JCW logo are standard across the range, sitting behind 17- or 18-inch wheels.

A total of 11 exterior colours are available, though these are yet to be detailed. What we do know is the convertible will have an exclusive Copper Grey finish available to it, and its soft top can be had in either black or with a contrasting grey Union Jack pattern.

Inside, the cabin has scored updates identical to those seen in the electric hatchback, which includes black and red patterns, with the dashboard incorporating a chequered flag motif.

The front seats are upholstered in black synthetic leather, with knitted fabric at shoulder height and red accent stitching throughout.

In the centre of the dashboard is a 240mm round OLED infotainment touchscreen, which also serves as the instrument cluster.

There’s a new ‘Go-Kart’ driving mode which Mini claims brings an ambience “tailored to performance and motorsport flair”, and displays additional information such as power, torque and g-forces on the central screen.

Mini claims to have further enhanced the suite of safety systems in the JCW models, which includes 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround-view cameras for better control of the adaptive cruise control and lane assistance systems.

Full pricing and specifications have yet to be detailed, but expect an increase on the $60,750 to $67,875 before on-road costs tags of the outgoing three-door JCW and its convertible counterpart.

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