MINI has announced that it will develop a fully electric John Cooper Works model – and released these official spy images as confirmation.
It was only a few weeks ago that head of MINI Bernd Körber hinted to Auto Express that the company was investigating electric power for future JCW performance models – and we haven’t had to wait long to see what’s coming up.
No technical information on the electric JCW has been issued, but these official images clearly show that an electric version of the recently-launched GP3 will be the first hot MINI to go electric.
The roof-mounted wing, blistered wheelarches and aggressive bodykit have all been transferred directly from the GP3, but look closely at the rear and you’ll see that the centre exit exhaust is missing – a clear indicator that this is a full EV.
Speaking on the announcement of MINI’s latest EV plans, Körber said: “With the MINI Electric, we’ve shown how well driving pleasure and electric mobility can be combined. Now’s the time to translate the performance passion of the John Cooper Works brand to electromobility. So we’re working hard to develop concepts for John Cooper Works models with electric drive.”
MINI’s choice to go electric with a JCW three-door is a relatively straightforward one; the standard MINI Electric gives the company a direct base to work from, without having to invest in developing a new body or platform. What also makes the GP3 a good candidate for an electric makeover is its focus on performance; there are no rear seats, so MINI could fit the electric hot hatch with a larger battery than that found in the MINI Electric to boost range without having to sacrifice power.
Expect the all-electric JCW to have in the region of 300bhp, and the hot hatch is likely to arrive by the end of 2021.
Are you excited by the prospect of an all-electric MINI JCW hot hatch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section…
Rolls-Royce has launched a branded, collapsible seat for its Cullinan SUV called the Pursuit Seat. The new accessory can be bought individually or as a pair, with prices starting from £6,581 per unit (excluding taxes).
The Pursuit Seat has been designed to slot into an optional compartment in the Cullinan’s boot – although Rolls-Royce says that the seats can be stowed in any of its models, as each unit is supplied with a leather carrying case.
Each seat features a telescopic carbon fibre leg, a leather seat, an aluminium frame and a retractable spike at the base, which is designed to improve stability on uneven surfaces such as grass or sand.
Buyers can also choose the colour of the seat’s leather, while every example comes with a small Rolls-Royce-branded aluminium torch and a pocket on rear that is designed to small items such as a smartphone or tickets.
The Pursuit Seat is just one of several opulent optional extras available from the Rolls-Royce Boutique. Buyers can also have branded luggage, a customised picnic hamper, various fitted car covers and a £37,000 champagne chest, complete with glasses and caviar.
What do you make of Rolls-Royce’s latest optional extra? Let us know in the comments section below…
It’s clear that Maserati is back. The MC20 feels like the car that can rejuvenate the brand once more. From our first brief encounter, it appears to have found the sweet spot between racetrack agility and everyday comfort. We’ll drive the finished thing early next year, and we can’t wait.
Maserati is making its long-awaited supercar comeback with the MC20 and the company has McLaren, Porsche and, more importantly, Ferrari in its sights. For years Maserati has been overshadowed by its neighbours from Maranello, and has even used its engines and technology. But the MC20 changes that; it’s 100 per cent Maserati. Ahead of the car going on sale in 2021, we’ve had the chance to get behind the wheel on track.
Open-topped Spyder and electric versions of the MC20 are due in 2022, but the coupé we have here packs a 622bhp 3.0-litre V6. It’s Maserati’s first in-house engine for more than 20 years – and the company is very proud of it. The magic formula of this compact unit is MTC (Maserati Twin Combustion), a pre-chamber fuel injection system combined with dual ignition, similar to the set-ups used in Formula One.
The car uses a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, as McLaren does, and the Italian firm claims a kerbweight of 1,470kg. It also says the MC20 can cover 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 202mph. Be in no doubt that this is a proper supercar.
There’s a drive-by-wire throttle, and on track the engine responds immediately in the more aggressive Sport and Corsa driving modes, even if the automated gearchanges on this prototype are sometimes a little rough.
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A large central rotary knob is used to select driving modes, while the damper tuning is operated via a button in its centre, so you can have a firm or softer set-up in each of the four modes.
GT mode gives the MC20 a greater degree of comfort, and the car handles rough surfaces with ease. The electric power steering is very impressive and key information is fed back to the rim, while the front end is keen to dive into tight corners.
Thanks to an even weight distribution, the MC20 remains balanced and neutral at speed, and even during fast direction changes. Only if you overdo it does the rear end issue a friendly reminder that you’re sitting in a 622bhp supercar, but it never feels intimidating. The carbon-ceramic brakes are brake-by-wire, but although they have huge stopping power, they feel synthetic. Engineers told us that they’re still working on this.
Given that we only sampled a prototype, it’s difficult to draw firm conclusions on cabin quality. But the combination of visible carbon fibre and Alcantara lends the cockpit a sporty, high-class ambience, if not being quite as dazzling as a Ferrari’s. Two 10.25-inch screens – one for infotainment, one for the dials – are enough without being overbearing. But even here, for an all-new model the graphics look a little simple.
