Mini reveals it’s developing an electric John Cooper Works model

We at Autoblog are extremely fond of the Mini Cooper SE electric car. So we’re excited to learn that Mini can also be developing an electrical John Cooper Works model.

Unfortunately, that’s all Mini has actually said about a future electric John Cooper Works model: that it’s in development. Anything else about this, such as how hardcore it will likely be, or what motor it'll use, is entirely up for speculation. All we must continue are photos of the prototype.

From the looks of it, the prototype is simply a Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) GP, however with an electric powertrain. The entire body, even the giant wing and funky fender flares, is the same as the uncompromising GP, except for the grille. The grille may be the mostly solid example used on the Cooper SE. There aren’t any tailpipes on this car either, for obvious reasons.

This certainly suggests Mini is planning for a mean electric JCW, and not simply a rather stiffer upgrade from the S/SE models. It raises big questions about the motor, though. The gas-powered GP is the most powerful production Mini ever with more than 300 horsepower. Only one BMW motor has been used in a Mini so far: the bottom i3 motor, making 181 horsepower. The i3s has a punchier motor which makes 195 horsepower that would probably stop by easily, but it wouldn’t seem powerful enough for any GP-type car. Perhaps the iX3’s motor, which makes 286 horsepower, could fit? It might easily be near enough to the GP’s engine. Maybe even one of the motors from the dual-motor, 500-horsepower BMW iX would get the job done?

We’ll have to wait and find out, and it’s hard to say the length of time, since Mini gave no info on reveals. Hopefully it won’t be too much time if the clients are testing minimally camouflaged electric GP prototypes.