2024 Mini John Cooper Works Isn't Going Electric Yet

Aug. 07, 2022 7:26 AM ET by Roger Biermann Spy Shots / Comments

But it is getting another refresh soon.

As is the case with most OEMs, Mini is going electric by 2030, starting with the next-generation Mini Cooper Hardtop Two-Door, followed by an all-new EV crossover previewed by the recent Mini Aceman Concept.

The brand's roadmap to that deadline includes various plug-in hybrids, but the brand plans to continue building combustion-powered cars for a while to come, reportedly releasing the last new model with a gas engine in 2025. One such car that will be staying gas-powered for now is the Mini John Cooper Works Hardtop. We've seen spy shots of this model out and about back in February, but our spies have now caught the prototype on the road again.

A cursory glance at the license plate reveals that this is the same car we saw nearly half a year ago. Disappointingly, Mini's development team hasn't pulled any extra camo off the car, and has only swapped out the early wheels for a set that looks more production ready. These are likely wearing different rubber, as the car is now undergoing hot-weather testing in the South of Europe.

This test mule still retains a single centrally-mounted exhaust tip, likely to be replaced by twin pipes on the production model.

While the previously-leaked Mini Cooper EV will be built on a new platform and launch imminently, the gasoline model will not be entirely overhauled. Instead, it will be yet another facelift of the third-generation Mini, which has already been facelifted once in 2018 and again for the 2022 model year.

As a facelift, our spies believe it will remain mechanically similar to what we already have with us. That means the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 228 horsepower is likely to remain, as will the front-wheel drivetrain,eight-speed automatic gearbox, and sub-six-second 0-60 mph dash.

The exterior will see a few tweaks, however, and we're led to believe there will be shorter overhangs to make the car appear more compact. A new grille, bumper, and reshaped headlights will also feature, possibly taking influence from the aforementioned Aceman concept. Reshaped side mirrors with integrated turn signals are expected, too.

The biggest changes will come inside the car, where Mini is going minimalist. The central touchscreen will be bigger, retaining its round shape but boasting frameless design and functionality right to its extremities - similar to the forthcoming Countryman. Our sources tell us the standard driver instrumentation display will be eschewed entirely, with all required information presented by a head-up display.

The center console will be drastically cleaned up, moving the gear selector toggle forward and removing many of the physical controls in favor of digitally accessible controls via the infotainment touchscreen.

The updated Mini JCW, and its lesser-powered siblings, are expected to debut early next year before arriving as a 2024 model.