First Look: Spy Shots Reveal High-Performance Mini Cooper JCW electric vehicle

Spy shots reveal the first look at the high-performance John Cooper Works variant of the upcoming Mini Cooper electric vehicle (EV). The JCV features a different front fascia with a vertical upright in the center and stacked horizontal running lights.

There are no styling differences between the vehicles in profile. The new Mini has a boxy silhouette reminiscent of the revived Mini that arrived in 2000. This one rides on wheels with five U-shaped spokes and machined faces.  The JCW has a revised rear bumper with tall reflectors on the outer corners. A simulated diffuser runs along the bottom rather than smoother styling on the standard model.

Recent spy shots give us a good look at the upcoming Mini EV's cabin. There's a circular display on the center of the dashboard. The speedometer is on the top, and infotainment duties are on the bottom. It doesn't appear that there are any gauges behind the steering wheel.

In May 2023, Mini confirmed technical details about the upcoming 2024 Cooper Electric three-door hatchback. The entry-level version has a front-mounted electric motor making 181 horsepower and a 40.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup offers an estimated range of 300 kilometers (186 miles) in Europe.

The Cooper SE turns up the front-mounted motor's output to 215 hp and increases the battery capacity to 54.2 kWh. The estimated range in Europe would increase to 400 kilometers (249 miles). The John Cooper Works variant is expected to have more power than the Cooper SE model.

The upcoming Mini EVs are based on a dedicated electric vehicle platform called Spotlight, co-developed by BMW and China's Great Wall Motor.

The first Mini Cooper EVs are set to arrive in 2024, with the John Cooper Works variant potentially arriving later. Mini is also working on electric versions of the Aceman and Countryman crossovers.