MINI is set to tease its new John Cooper Works pocket rocket at an iconic German race ahead of its release later this year.
The return of the hot hatch is set to rival Volkswagen‘s explosive Golf GTI and will be available in both petrol and electric.
But before it hits public roads in autumn, Mini is showcasing this new terrier at next weekend’s Nurburgring 24-hour race in Germany.
It will be unveiled in camouflage form for the event, drawing inspiration from the Mini Cooper S Monte Carlo Rally triumph in 1964.
That was the first time the Mini Cooper won the famed race, with Northern Ireland’s Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Henry Liddon steering the brand to victory.
Now 60 years later Mini hopes to inspire hatch fans again, declaring the new John Cooper Works will “push boundaries” in both petrol and electric in a “bold move”.
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The Nürburgring race promises to put the hot hatch through a gruelling test as the event unfolds from June 1-2.
Full details and specifications are likely to surface closer to the car’s release in autumn.
But clues arising from the race-ready style show new air intakes, a rear diffuser and roof spoiler, suggesting an aggressive appearance.
According to Autocar it is expected to retain its 2.0-litre engine, although a power boost may be in store to keep up with its hot hatch rival the VW Golf GTI, which boasts 241HP.
It will only be available with an automatic gearbox after Mini ended its manual production last year.
The petrol version of the John Cooper Works will be available by autumn, Mini says, with the electric option to follow in 2025.
Motorists are divided over the unveiling in early reactions.
One responder of a Pistons Head thread said: “So very predictable, so very boring.
“Same old car in a slightly different suit. Power won’t be up much I suspect … it’ll no doubt come perilously close to the £50k mark.”
But it has also found support.
One user said: “Small little hot hatch that has a petrol engine, to me at least, that should be celebrated.
“It’ll be expensive, but so is a lot of other cars.”
