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Mini Cooper JCW prototype nears production
You probably know by now that Mini plans to become a fully EV portfolio company by the early 2030s. What you are looking at here could just be the last combustion-engined Mini hatchback before the ICE bows out for good.
Covered in heavy camouflage, the Mini hatchback in what looks like the full-blown JCW variant was spied undergoing testing. It was wearing a bonnet with rounder styling than the existing model as well as headlights similar to that of the current model.
To make for its sportier JCW stance, it features large-diameter alloy wheels, jutting front air intakes, bigger brakes, plus an aggressive rear diffuser.
Even with the heavily disguised front end, we think Mini will tweak the front fascia to match the upcoming EV variants but, obviously, with actual air intakes for the cooling of the engine, unlike sealed EV grilles.
The rear soldiers on with the Union-Jack-inspired taillights but instead of the centre-exit exhaust system, the prototype has a tow bar fitted which we doubt will reach production stages, and will instead be replaced by dual exhaust tips.
On the other hand, we don't expect Mini to tweak the powerplant, so the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine will soldier on with its 170 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque.
At this stage, it's looking likely that Mini will introduce the ICE-powered hatch before the end of the year, with the EV to follow suit a few months later. The JCW we're talking about here could be the last to arrive in 2023.
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