Early this year MINI presented a concept previewing the new John Cooper Works performance version of its third-generation Cooper, and now we have a fresh look at the actual production version, which was spotted hot-weather testing on US soil recently.

The car features all the typical JCW cues such as additional air intakes in the front bumper, light alloy wheels and uprated brakes. The rear section has been lifted straight off the new MINI Cooper S, but should change as development progresses. Look for the aggressive rear bumper shown on the concept to make its way onto the production model, too.

With the latest MINI Cooper offering a slate of more powerful engines plus a longer wheelbase and wider track compared to the outgoing model, it's natural the JCW version will lift the bar higher in the performance stakes too. We wouldn't be surprised if it even manages to outshine 2012's JCW GP special edition. Power should come from an uprated version of MINI’s latest 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder. In the 2014 Cooper S this engine delivers 189 horsepower, so for the new JCW model we could see output dialed up to more than 220 horsepower. Drive will go to the front wheels only, either via a standard six-speed manual or available six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

Look for a debut of the new MINI JCW model towards the end of this year or in early 2015. In the meantime, check out these spy shots and let us know what you think!

 

hardly screams jcw IMO.
but then again, i dont care for the new minis anyway, so my opinion doesnt really count!

 

Looks like an F56 with a different lower grille and ugly wheels.

Hopefully it will look A LOT more like the concept that was at the NAIAS, and hopefully there are A LOT more JCW wheels options.

 

What is the yellow all over the front end?

 

Used to cover the look of unreleased cars.

 

i like how they have the NAM logo on the windows

 

In what world do they think that big rectangular snorkel sticking out below the bumper looks good or is needed? I just want to grab a grinder and take about 2" off that thing. It really is the thing that makes the nose look like it sticks out so far. Aftermarket we need a fix.