It’s wild to think that the same car that once zipped around in the Swinging Sixties now shows up as a fully-electric compact SUV in 2025.
The Mini, once a symbol of British simplicity and charm, has now been reimagined by BMW into something much more futuristic—and a whole lot bigger.
I recently took the wheel of the newest version: the Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) Aceman EV. And let me tell you, this isn’t your granddad’s Mini.
From Classic Icon to Chunky Contender
Let’s go back for a second. The original Mini, born in 1959 and brainchild of Sir Alec Issigonis, was a 10-foot-long (just over 3m) marvel of clever design and compact charm.
It weighed only 590kg and quickly became a British cultural icon.
Fast forward to today, and the latest JCW Aceman tips the scales at a hefty 1,820kg and stretches more than 4 metres long.
That’s more than three times the weight and over a metre longer than the original. Talk about a growth spurt.
All-Electric and All Business
The JCW Aceman doesn’t even pretend to be petrol-powered. It’s fully electric, running on a 54.2kWh battery that cranks out 255hp.
It accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds and tops out at 124mph.
Agile and fast, it handled the tight corners and open straights of the Cotswolds with surprising precision.
You’ll need a strong grip on the wheel, though—the power delivery is punchy and immediate.
It’s a proper hot-hatch experience, now dressed up as a compact SUV.
Performance with a Racing Edge
Inside, the sporty feel continues with racing-inspired, high-seated chairs.
However, things get a bit cramped in the back—especially if you actually try to fit five adults.
The boot is a compact 300 litres, which works for weekend bags but not much more.
Dominating the dashboard is a unique 24cm circular digital screen.
It displays everything you need and supports seven driving modes—yes, including a cheeky ‘Go-Kart’ setting that lives up to Mini’s classic reputation for playful handling.
Charging, Range, and Reality Checks
On paper, the range is quoted at 243 miles. But let’s be real—expect more like 200 miles in typical UK driving conditions.
If you’ve got access to a fast charger, getting the battery to 80% takes under half an hour, which is pretty handy for EV standards.
Big on Looks, Bigger on Price
This isn’t a budget EV. The JCW Aceman starts at £40,920.
The one I drove cost £44,570 after throwing in extras like British Racing Green paint (£550) and the ‘Level 3’ package (£3,800), which includes a panoramic sunroof, heated memory seats, and adaptive LED headlights.
If you’re looking for something slightly more classic, the two-door JCW Electric hatchback starts from £39,120.
Bulked Up in Every Direction
Size-wise, this Aceman is a heavyweight. At 4.08m long, 1.99m wide, and 1.51m tall, it absolutely dwarfs the original Mini.
And it’s built to look the part, with standard roof rails, 19-inch wheels, sport tyres, and red brake callipers.
It’s definitely flashy—some might say aggressively so.
The Growing Crowd of Electric Rivals
Despite its boutique charm, the Aceman finds itself in a tough market.
Competition is fierce in the compact electric SUV world, especially as prices drop across the board thanks to slower-than-expected EV sales and cheaper offerings from Chinese brands.
Direct competitors include the Volvo EX30, Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and the Smart #1.
All bring their own brand of speed and style to the EV table.
From Monte Carlo to the Motorway
The JCW name isn’t just for show—it carries a deep racing heritage.
Back in the 1960s, John Cooper transformed the classic Mini into a rally legend, with three Monte Carlo wins under its belt.
Today’s JCW badge is an attempt to channel that racing DNA into a modern, electric package.
Does it succeed? Sort of. It’s fast, fun, and grippy.
But that raw power sometimes comes at the cost of finesse.
British Badge, Chinese Build
And here’s the twist: though it wears a Mini badge and boasts of British heritage, the JCW Aceman isn’t made in the UK.
It’s currently built in Zhangjiagang, China—5,000 miles from Oxford, the Mini’s traditional home.
BMW had planned a major £600m investment to bring electric Mini production back to the UK, but paused those plans in early 2025, blaming uncertainty in the EV market and lagging consumer demand.
Final Thoughts: Big Power, Big Price, Small Legacy?
So, is the JCW Aceman worth the hype? It’s certainly fast, sharp-looking, and loaded with tech.
But it’s no longer the compact, affordable rebel it once was.
The soul of the Mini may still be there—buried under layers of premium polish and electric power—but it’s a very different beast now.
And unlike the original Mini, which allegedly never turned a profit, BMW’s version is definitely built with the bottom line in mind.