The MINI Cooper SE gets a JCW package

While the new MINI Countryman 2025 is entitled to a performance version from the workshops of John Cooper Works, the MINI Cooper SE electric is only entitled to a ceremonial ensemble.

Monte-Carlo Rally tunes

The inspiration for this set comes from the successes experienced by the John Cooper Works team over the decades, notably in the 1960s at the legendary Monte-Carlo Rally. We continue the usual JCW themes with red, black and white.

For this version, we find an octagonal grille frame all in glossy black and a completely redesigned lower part for more dynamism. In the right corner, we also discover the new JCW logo initially presented on the Countryman JCW 2025.

As standard, 18-inch two-tone, 10-spoke wheels emphasize the sportiness of the model. In addition, as it is a vehicle inspired by motor racing, decorative stripes are added to the hood. As always, red invites itself through the large door with the calipers painted in Chili red as well as the roof and the mirror boxes. The rear of this version comes with a more dynamic bumper and diffuser.

Expressive interior

The new generation of the MINI offers a very stylized and very refined interior presentation. In the case of the JCW package, the buyer will be treated to the full treatment with a collection of red accents everywhere. The seats are covered in synthetic leather with red stitching and a checkerboard flag pattern that echoes the theme of the JCW logo.

The central screen with OLED technology is certainly a spectacle in itself. This monitor brings together all the controls related to navigation, telephone, media and air conditioning. With its various driving modes, we find the GO-KART mode which illuminates the passenger compartment in red and offers an optimized sound experience depending on the pressure on the accelerator.

Driverless parking

With the new generation of Cooper, the manufacturer adds a collection of technologies and innovations on board. In the lot, in addition to the 12 ultrasonic sensors and 4 cameras, it will now be possible to park the vehicle without being on board from the mobile application linked to the vehicle. According to MINI, considering the urban character of the Cooper, this will be a very useful feature.

Figures to be confirmed

MINI Canada has not yet revealed all the technical characteristics of the Cooper SE. It is known that the vehicle will be equipped with an electric motor on the front axle with a power of 160 kilowatts (approximately 218 horsepower). Not surprisingly, the integral is still not part of the equation.

The usable capacity of the battery will be 54.2 kilowatt hours, a significant increase considering the current 28.9 kilowatt hours. For the moment, we do not yet know the official autonomy figures other than that according to the European WLTP evaluation method which puts the Cooper SE at 402 kilometers.

With us, we can therefore expect something between 325 and 350 kilometers. The Cooper SE goes from 0 to 100 kilometers/hour in 6.7 seconds, which isn’t particularly quick.

Our opinion

MINI is not yet pushing the mark in terms of “performance” with electrification, we remain wise. However, electrification offers infinite possibilities and, even, easy ones to put forward. Perhaps the manufacturer has some surprises in store for us later? It would not be surprising if we discovered a fully electric GP model.

This avenue would certainly represent the pinnacle of driving pleasure that we recognize at MINI. MINI and sporty electrification almost sound like a perfect match.