Mini JCW hot hatch tipped to continue in the electric era

What is believed to be a John Cooper Works hot-hatch version of the next-generation Mini Electric hatch has been spied testing in Europe.

Images posted to social media platform Instagram by photographer Wilco Blok show a camouflaged, next-generation electric Mini three-door wearing a sportier bodykit, larger rear spoiler and bigger alloy wheels than examples spied previously.

It has led to speculation it is a preview of a high-performance John Cooper Works version from Mini's in-house performance brand – named after John Cooper, the brains behind the sporty Cooper version of the original 1950s Mini that became popular in motor racing.

Alternatively, it may be a test vehicle for an optional 'JCW Sport' body kit for the mid-grade Cooper S version of the new electric Mini hatchback.

If it is the former, the new electric JCW Mini would represent the first high-performance Mini with battery power – and the first developed on Chinese underpinnings.

As previously reported, the new Mini three-door hatchback – due for unveiling this year – will be underpinned by a dedicated electric-car architecture shared with Chinese car giant Great Wall Motors (GWM).

Developed as part of a joint venture with the Chinese company, the new electric Mini is slated to be built at a new factory in China – the first Mini hatchback built outside of Europe under German car giant BMW's ownership.

It is due to remain on sale alongside the petrol-powered, three-door Mini hatch, which is slated to receive an extensive facelift later this year – rather than an all-new model, even though the current car is close to a decade old, dating back to 2014.

Details of what could power the Mini John Cooper Works electric hot hatch are unclear.

Mini sources have previously told Drive the standard Mini Cooper hatch is slated to develop 135kW with a 40kWh battery, while the Cooper S could upgrade to 165kW with a 50kWh battery. Both versions would be front-wheel drive.

The 165kW power output is just shy of the 170kW/320Nm produced by the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine in today's Mini JCW hatch.

It remains to be seen if the new Mini JCW electric hot hatch – if one is planned – adopts dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, as expected to be offered on larger Mini SUVs.