Hitting Formula E for 2021, the all-electric race series will see a new safety car making the rounds with the John Cooper Works-inspired MINI Electric Pacesetter. Piloted by FIA Formula E Safety Car driver Bruno Correia and making its inaugural appearance in Rome on 10 April 2021 for Race 3 (the second race), this sleek electric coupe is based on the MINI Cooper SE (and about 130 kg lighter) with some JCW magic, in what MINI calls an unprecedented collaboration to include MINI Design, BMW Motorsport, the FIA and the Formula E all pitching in.
As the Head of the car brand puts it, “For me, the message is clear: electrification and John Cooper Works are a good fit.” We won’t argue with that based on what we’re seeing. Some of the standout styling changes include reworked arches to accommodate the 18-inch bi-colour black-neon/orange design wheels, a deep front apron with additional front splitters to the left and right, sporty side skirts, and 3D printed spats and spoilers in yellow made from recycled carbon fibre to keep with the sustainability theme.
With the addition of a welded-in roll cage, this electric MINI’s cabin is otherwise stripped back to retain only the essentials including the front seats, a minimalist steering wheel, a digital instrument cluster, and carbon fibre-exposed gearshift lever, handbrake and controls at the centre console. This JCW-inspired rocket will sprint 0-100 km/h or 62 mph in 6.7 seconds, backed by 181 hp and 206 lb-ft of all-electric torque. Unfortunately, the MINI Electric Pacesetter isn’t built for public roads but certainly provides a good glimpse of where MINI is headed with its EV aspirations. In fact, the new MINI is here for 2025.
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