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The 2025 Mini Cooper JCW storms into its new model cycle with fresh bodywork, a punchier drivetrain and a cabin that swaps clutter for cutting-edge tech. Purists will spot the re-profiled nose, wider track and more assertive tail, yet the silhouette remains unmistakably Mini, its compact stance still promising agile responses the moment the wheels start turning.
Slip inside and the transformation is just as evident. A single circular OLED display takes centre stage, backed by knitted fabric trim and a neat row of metal toggles that honour the marque’s heritage. Deeply bolstered seats finished in Vescin and Cord fabric grip driver and passenger alike, while a thicker-rimmed wheel and red accents subtly hint at the firepower beneath the bonnet.
That firepower arrives via a retuned 2.0-litre turbocharged four, unchanged in peak power but now twisting out 380 Nm through a slick seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. On track the JCW launches hard, pulls keenly through the mid-range and bangs home upshifts with satisfying precision. Revised adaptive dampers keep the hatch flat over kerbs, yet there’s still enough suppleness to shrug off the average Australian back-road ripple.
Steering remains quick and accurate, the front axle biting eagerly while torque steer is kept in check. Braking force is strong at road speed, though repeated hot laps reveal a touch of fade as the single-piston callipers heat up. Grip levels depend on the rubber supplied, but with the stickier performance tyres, the JCW threads corners with confidence, the chassis willing to rotate when the driver lifts mid-bend.
Despite the performance focus, the Mini’s everyday quirks persist. Rear space is tight, the boot modest, and the new touchscreen can feel a shade sluggish. Yet these foibles fade once the JCW is let loose, its compact dimensions, torquey engine and lively chassis combining to deliver a genuinely engaging drive that stays true to Mini’s sporty lineage while embracing modern comforts and safety kit.
