The electric revolution has finally reached one of the most beloved names in hot hatch history – the Mini Cooper JCW. Following a teaser at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the high-performance Mini Cooper JCW E has officially been revealed, thanks to China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). And it packs quite a punch, with a confirmed boost in power to 188 kW (255 horsepower).

The heart of this electric hot hatch remains a single motor driving the front wheels, with the same 54.2 kWh battery pack found in the 2024 Mini Cooper SE. Of that, 49.2 kWh is usable, which translates to a range of up to 400 km under the WLTP cycle for the SE. However, with the JCW’s extra grunt, expect a slightly reduced range.

The additional power gives the JCW E some serious performance cred, trimming its sprint from 0 to 100 km/h by about half a second compared to the Cooper SE’s 6.7 seconds. While it’s still front-wheel-drive and likely to struggle a bit with putting all that power down, the promise of a quicker launch time will still make this one of the hottest electric hatches on the market.

Visually, the JCW E has some clear distinctions. It wears a more aggressive body kit than the SE, including reworked bumpers, side skirts, and a large rear spoiler. Although it doesn't get the extreme fender flares or wild aero pieces seen on the old petrol-powered JCW GP, it still looks sharp, with details like a stylized checkered flag graphic on the rear hatch – likely an option. The car revealed in China also sports a white rear apron, which could either be a market-specific feature or optional trim.

If you’re looking closely, you’ll spot the differences between the SE and JCW models through subtle but important cues. The JCW trim gets a unique 18-inch wheel design, larger brakes with red calipers, and John Cooper Works badges scattered across the exterior – including the rear wing, the grille, and next to the “Cooper” script on the back. Interestingly, the Chinese version lacks some of the JCW logos seen on prototypes, particularly on the front bumper.

The ride height may be slightly lower than the SE’s, though this wasn’t confirmed in the documents. Inside, we expect the typical JCW treatment – sportier seats with bolstered sides, more aggressive interior trims, and perhaps a unique steering wheel to match its hot-hatch pedigree.

As Mini’s electric future takes shape, the JCW E promises to deliver the punchy, fun-to-drive dynamics we expect from the badge, with the added benefit of electric power. This model marks an exciting chapter for the JCW lineup, blending Mini's unmistakable charm with cutting-edge electric performance. Expect the full unveiling of the 2025 Mini Cooper JCW E by the end of this year.