First electric Mini JCWs hit the track

The JCW Electric and JCW Aceman sport a more prominent roof spoiler and special 18-inch wheels and tyres to match the JCW go-faster persona

- Lionel Seah

BANGKOK - John Cooper Works (JCW) is to Mini what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. Now, JCW has turned its attention to the three-door Cooper Electric and the five-door Aceman crossover as its first electric models.

Instead of calling the three-door car the Cooper John Cooper Works Electric, it goes by the name John Cooper Works Electric, while the crossover is known as the John Cooper Works Aceman. Both are built in Zhangjiagang, China, through a joint-venture between BMW and Great Wall Motor.

The powertrain set-up under the three-door and the crossover are identical with 190kW and 350Nm of torque, up from 160kW and 330Nm for the SE versions of the two cars, which are the next most powerful variants after the JCWs.

Correspondingly, they are also fitted with sportier suspension settings and stronger brakes to match the increased power.