Electric cars and motorsport-inspired thrills aren’t usually words you’d pair together easily—but MINI thinks differently. To prove this point, MINI Thailand recently invited us to Pathumthani Speedway, just outside Bangkok, to sample their newest electric offerings: the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman.
MINI JCW Electric
Hopping behind the wheel of the 3-door MINI JCW Electric immediately felt familiar yet intriguingly fresh. Packing an impressive 258 bhp and 350 Nm of instant torque, the standout feature was its sheer immediacy—electric motors deliver torque instantly, turning every press of the accelerator into a grin-worthy moment. And if that wasn’t enough, hitting the electric boost function added an extra 27 bhp of power, making bursts of acceleration genuinely addictive.
On the fast lap around the track, the JCW Electric showcased sharp turn-in and impressive flatness through corners, delivering that authentic hot-hatch excitement. MINI’s exclusive JCW suspension tuning was evident in the car’s agile and responsive handling, preserving the legendary “Go-Kart feel.” However, the trade-off for this agility was a noticeably firm ride, with uneven track surfaces and undulations felt from behind the wheel.
Inside, the racing heritage was immediately apparent. Signature JCW elements, like red accent stitching on black leatherette, supportive sports seats, and the chunky JCW steering wheel, created an unmistakable motorsport atmosphere. The new “Go-Kart” mode dialled up steering response, sharpened accelerator feel, and displayed extra performance stats directly on the OLED display, adding further to the track-focused vibe.
MINI JCW Aceman
Switching to the MINI JCW Aceman felt like stepping into the more practical—but no less exciting—sibling. Despite sharing the same potent 258 bhp electric powertrain, the Aceman provided a slightly higher seating position and noticeably improved comfort, resulting in better visibility and a more relaxed driving posture. Yet this didn’t diminish the fun; it matched its 3-door counterpart with equally spirited acceleration and confident handling through corners.
The braking performance on both cars was excellent. Corner after corner, the brakes killed any excessive speed and offered strong initial bite, good pedal feel, and easy modulation—ideal for the spirited driving we enjoyed throughout the day.
John Cooper Works DNA
Visually, both models proudly wear their JCW DNA. Bold red-black sport stripes, motorsport-inspired detailing, and distinctive wheels—including the Aceman’s cool 19-inch two-tone Strive Spokes—that grow on you the more you look at them.
The JCW Electric proudly wears its new logo on an exclusive rear hatch spoiler that resembles the F56’s GP-style aero wing, which was partially mounted on the sides of the rear hatch. The Aceman has it on the lower trim of the driver’s door.
The JCW Electric and Aceman also introduced the Digital Key Plus feature (which we didn’t have time to test), which enables drivers to unlock, lock, and remotely park their vehicles conveniently from their smartphones, adding a touch to everyday usability.
After spending the day at Pathumthani Speedway, it’s clear MINI isn’t merely electrifying its lineup; they’re taking a step further by spicing things up in the EV world with these bad boys. Stay tuned for our full review when the car lands here in Singapore.
