Exclusive: First images of the Mini Aceman JCW

Have we got a treat for you - first-ever images of the rumored Mini Aceman JCW! While Mini did release the JCW version of the Cooper version - which we tested not that long ago - the Aceman was only available in two trims. That changes now.

We spotted the JCW version during road testing in Germany. Initially, looking at the photos, this Aceman looks like nothing special. But closer inspection quickly revealed we have something going on here. First of all - those 19-inch rims are wrapped in performance tires, and behind those rims are hiding JCW brake calipers - you can just make out the checkered flag.

With that clue out of the way, we started looking closely at other details, and bingo! The front bumper is a carbon copy of the one found on the Mini Cooper JCW with the unique twin blade in the middle. The rear spoiler is again very similar - much longer than the standard Aceman item, and much lower with a built-in fin aerial.

The rear bumper finishes off the new, sporty look. It sports the same bottom trim the Mini Cooper JCW has - a big departure from the standard item. And although the Aceman in the photos is fully camouflaged, we can clearly tell it is riding quite a bit lower than the standard version. Finally, the black tape on the side of the roof spoiler neatly covers up a logo. What logo would that be? Yes, it’s the John Cooper Works checkered flag.

Only a couple of questions remain: what powertrain will it use and will it go on sale? To answer the first - there are two possibilities. The easier option for Mini would be to use the 218-hp motor with the larger 49.8 kWh battery. That would mean the same acceleration as the SE version (7.1 sec to 62 mph) and a slightly lower range due to the larger wheel and tire combo - probably around 236 miles.

But there’s another option. Last year, Mini certified a 255-hp version of the Cooper JCW for the Chinese market. We haven’t seen that version outside of China yet, but the new Aceman would be a perfect car for the company to introduce it to the lineup. As to when the Aceman JCW will go on sale, the vehicle in the photos is a production version, meaning the official unveiling is imminent.