The second global debut from MINI’s John Cooper Works at the Paris Motor Show 2024 is the MINI Aceman JCW. The born-electric crossover, the first MINI of its kind, will soon be available in a high-performance, sporty version. After spending some time with it, here are my takeaways.
Design
The MINI Aceman JCW takes on a sportier and more aggressive look, with blacked-out styling elements that underline its bold character. I noticed that the grille is now blacked out, giving the front a stealthier appearance, while red stripes on either side of the front fender add a sporty flair that signals its John Cooper Works (JCW) pedigree. At the rear, a three-dimensional checkered flag design adds a distinct touch of motorsport-inspired styling.
Customization is a key feature of the Aceman JCW, with options such as contrasting-colored mirror enclosures and hood art, as shown in the MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) listings, giving buyers plenty of ways to personalize their vehicle, depending on the market.
Building on MINI’s long racing heritage, this electric crossover not only boasts a sporty and exclusive design but also gets optimized aerodynamics for lower energy consumption. Along with its aggressive styling, the Aceman JCW promises the agile handling and dynamic driving experience that MINI drivers expect from the brand.
Interior
The interior of the MINI John Cooper Works Aceman reflects a clean, performance-driven design, staying true to the JCW color palette. The dashboard presents a bold black and red knit design, delivering a fresh, athletic feel to the cabin. Once the ambient lighting is engaged, the panoramic roof is decorated with lighting around it, in what’s a feature reserved for the JCW variant in the Aceman line-up.
The driver and front passenger seats feature black synthetic leather upholstery, enhanced by vibrant knitted fabric accents on the shoulders and striking red stitching that adds a bold, dynamic touch. A high-resolution 9.4-inch OLED display sits at the center of the dashboard, and it integrates the functions of both the infotainment system and the instrument cluster.
My experience inside the MINI Cooper JCW E
The MINI John Cooper Works Aceman feels just like a raised hatchback. When I sat in at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, I immediately noticed that you sit low, not in an upright, SUV-like position. Once inside, the door closes with the signature MINI thud, for small doesn’t mean low-quality here, and the materials feel creative, also typical of the brand. The seat offers great side bolstering, providing a snug, supportive feel, with excellent back and under-thigh support. Even as a six-footer, I find the headroom more than adequate, and the panoramic glass roof doesn’t interfere.
The circular infotainment system offers more than just media functions—it’s a hub for all key details, complemented by a head-up display. There’s no traditional instrument cluster, which takes some getting used to. In the rear, legroom is tight, and my knees brush against the seat backs. While it’s fine for average-sized adults or kids, the rear seat feels more like an afterthought. Ultimately, this is more of a raised five-door MINI than a true crossover.
Specifications
The MINI John Cooper Works Aceman comes equipped with a powerful electric motor producing 190 kW (255 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque. It sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 124 mph. The motor gets its juice from a 49.2 kWh (net) battery pack, officially expected to give the EV a WLTP range of 221 miles.
Production & Release Date
To start with, the Aceman JCW and the Cooper JCW E will be produced in China. However, by 2026, these models are to also be made in Oxford, UK, to avoid the EU tariffs that are levied on Chinese-built vehicles. The MINI John Cooper Works Aceman costs GBP 40,220 (USD 52,619) in the UK, where its sales will commence in April 2025.
Given the quadrupling of tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles earlier this year, it’s unlikely that the Cooper JCW E will come to the U.S. market before production shifts to Britain. We’ll wait for MINI to provide us an update, and revise this section as new information becomes available.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 16 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading CEOs and vehicle developers from around the world.