All of us will have a fond Mini memory of some kind. Perhaps a few. They’re simply too entertaining and too readily available to pass most enthusiasts by. It might have been an original, it might have been supercharged, it might have been a diesel Clubvan or it might have been turbocharged with a delicate head gasket - but you’ll more than likely remember your Mini as reasonably fast and a whole lot of fun. I sure do.
But that era is coming to an end. One no less as significant as the last originals being made more than a quarter of a century ago. Mini will cease combustion engine production in the near future. And where luxury manufacturers are backtracking on similar commitments faster than an election pledge, Mini looks nailed on: the electric Coopers are doing well, the current model is very good, and battery power actually suits superminis. So barring another GP (we can but hope) this new JCW is probably it as far as petrol-powered Minis go. This is sad, of course; a state compounded by the demise of so many similar cars. Even as recently as the launch of the last JCW, which this car is a heavy facelift of, there were Peugeots, Renaults, DSes, Fiestas, Corsas and Cupras to rival the mighty Mini. Now it’s a Polo GTI. Which even VW seems to have forgotten about.
However good (or not) the JCW is, then, we should all be happy that a 2.0-litre Mini exists at all. Because while an EV Cooper might be great (and it is a real hoot), there isn’t much to rival the fun quota of a small front-wheel drive car with a big engine. There’s no mistaking this car for its battery-powered equivalent, either, chiefly as there’s a huge drainpipe hanging out of the middle of the rear bumper. It’s a nice nod to the centre exit exhausts of old, if still a little strange looking. But a weird exhaust is better than none, right?
The inside is a familiar new-school Mini, which is to say a cut above anything else at the money for sense of occasion, upgraded for the JCW with some chunky sports seats. They could do with being a little less chunky and a bit more figure-hugging, but they set the tone. A familiar Mini driving position is easy to find, with chair down low, wheel out to chest and a pair of pedals straight ahead. Shame the wheel, like the seat, is so overly plump.
While it’s become popular to dismiss this new Mini as merely a heavy facelift of the previous car, there are some worthwhile differences. Primarily that’s in the powertrain, with a seven-speed dual-clutch taking the place of the slightly sleepy eight-speed auto, and the 2.0-litre engine - two-thirds of a BMW 3.0-litre B58, remember - treated to some more torque. A lot more, in fact, with 280lb ft against the previous 236; the Mini always felt muscular against rivals with less capacity, and in some cases cylinders, so almost another 20 per cent more torque ought not to hurt that impression.
And so it proves: this is one effortlessly speedy Mini. Even from very few revs in high gear, the JCW romps along emphatically, nose rearing up slightly and charging for the horizon. If not the traditional hot hatch experience, it’s an entertaining one, walloping along at an unexpectedly rapid rate given the merest sniff of an opportunity. It plays to the engine’s strengths, too, because the B48 was never much of a revver anyway, so much better to lean into more mid-range muscle.
Nevertheless, should you wish to go chasing a modest redline, the Mini is reasonably game. The seven-speed DCT has the measure of the similar VW unit, more responsive on the paddles, if lacking some of the theatre and satisfaction of the dual-clutch found in the i30 N (RIP). In go-kart mode it won’t shift up at maximum revs, and what feels like an initial reluctance to change down on the paddles is actually just really short ratios: second barely makes 50 mph. So you’re definitely kept busy and reasonably entertained as well, with cool shift lights and central displays plus one or two nice induction noises. Shame the exhaust pops sound like marbles in a toilet bowl.
You’d still kill for a manual, though. Even with the torque and really strong traction (0-62mph in 6.1 seconds feels very believable), it’s clearly not too fast for a clutch pedal. And a traditional six-speed would reintroduce some involvement that the overly assisted steering and a more muted engine have removed. It’s a shame that the manual bowed out with the rather tame 1-to-6 edition, because it deserved more. Not many of those fond Mini memories will have been with two pedals.
Despite more of a bijou BMW feel than ever before, there are some pleasingly familiar Mini traits to the way the JCW drives. It always feels relatively compact and just about light enough (even if 1,400kg seems a bit much), that agility that comes from a short wheelbase and a wheel at each corner evident from the first flit towards an apex. It’s taut and characteristically eager, perhaps to the point of seeming slightly contrived - but easy to embrace and enjoy. Even on optional 18-inch wheels, the ride is busy but never unsettled; they’re surely an agreeable compromise as the 17s might look too dinky.
There’s loads of grip, too, so you’re soon confident barrelling in at any speed, line easily tightened with a lift if any overexuberance needs nipping in the bud. Traction is good given there’s no conventional locking differential, with just a little bit of fight from the Continentals if it’s bumpy and it’s second gear to let you know there’s a battle on. The brakes seem strong enough, though the pedal feel is longer than ideal. If you want to go fast, the Mini is more than adept.
Nevertheless, the latest JCW isn’t the same kind of whippersnapper hot hatch as its recently departed rivals. It’s just that little bit more aloof, a car that tolerates being driven enthusiastically rather than actively encourages it. Which, as time has passed, has become the modern Mini way, trading the final few tenths of engagement for interior ambience and kerb appeal. In that respect this is very much a natural evolution of the JCW, the new torque and transmission making everyday driving easier as well as scaring mid-range sports cars. Arguably this is the smartest-looking new Mini around, too, complete with the JCW badges and optional wheels, however low a bar that admittedly is.
After a brief go, it’s hard not to crave more from the engine, given its final appearance. Imagine if this could now boast the old GP spec, complete with 300hp and some driven axle tricks? Or a silly aero package, or bucket seats, or super sticky tyres? It is crying out for a bit more attitude. Perhaps that’s missing the point: for little more than £30k there is sufficient performance, tech and ability on display here to satisfy most Mini buyers - and the JCW is undoubtedly a good little hot hatch. It's just a shame it's nothing more than that. We will await a final flourish. The collective Mini memory deserves nothing less.
SPECIFICATION | 2025 MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS
Engine: 1,998cc four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 231@5,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 280@1,500rpm
0-62mph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,405kg
MPG: 41.5-43.5 (WLTP combined)
CO2: 147-154g/km
Price: £33,265 (price as standard; price as tested £37,065 with Level 3 pack (Sun Protection Glass, Storage for wireless charging, Rear view mirror with auto dimming, Parking Assistant Plus, Panoramic glass roof, Mini Nav AR, Mini Head Up Display, Interior Camera, High Beam Assist, Front heated seats, Electric seats, Driving Assistant Plus, Comfort Access, Adaptive LED lights, Active Seat for driver)
1 / 10
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