Mini is keeping the petrol-powered hot hatch alive

A new generation of Mini’s hottest petrol-powered hatch will be unveiled within the next fortnight.

The new Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW)will race at the upcoming 24 Hours of Nürburgring, which takes place from June 1-2.

To show off its performance credentials, the new Cooper JCW will take part in the twice-around-the-clock endurance race, wearing a red and white livery which harks back to the brand’s 1960s race cars.

Fortunately the throwback-themed camouflage doesn’t hide much of the JCW’s design, with the performance flagship adopting a new front fascia with wide air intakes, wider wheel arches and – in racing trim at least – a large rear diffuser and extended rear spoiler.

Though some of these changes were previewed by the electric Mini Cooper SE JCW, it appears the petrol-powered model will be even more aggressive in its design.

The carmaker is yet to detail specifications for the latest Cooper JCW, though its race car is powered by Mini’s ‘Twin-Power Turbo’ petrol engine, also known as the BMW B48.

In the outgoing Mini Cooper JCW, this 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produced 170kW of power and 320Nm of torque, while the JCW GP pushed outputs up to 225kW and 450Nm.

The new-generation petrol-powered Cooper range for now tops out with the S, which pumps out 150kW and 300Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo four.

If the new Mini Cooper JCW does come to Australia, expect it to be more expensive than the $64,250 before on-road costs price tag of the current flagship Mini Hatch John Cooper Works.

The petrol-powered hot hatch will join the recently revealed JCW version of the mechanically unrelated electric Cooper range.

Despite the name, the electric Cooper SE JCW doesn’t receive any extra power over more affordable Cooper SE models.

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