MINI reveals the Electric Pacesetter inspired by John Cooper Works

The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by John Cooper Works (JCW) is the new Safety Car for the Formula E World Championship series. As such, it connects MINI's electrified future with the rich racing history of John Cooper Works. The car was created out of the new MINI Electric as part of an unprecedented collaboration between MINI Design, BMW Motorsport, the FIA and the Formula E.

The exterior of the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW has been purpose-built for life on the track and represents the most dynamic interpretation yet of a MINI with all-electric power. In short, the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW is not road legal.

As virtually no drive system cooling is required through the upper area of the grille, the front end is largely enclosed to aid aerodynamics. The only exceptions are the area below the grille and the eye-catching, almost squared-off apertures for brake cooling. The Safety Car's white flashing lights are integrated harmoniously into the bonnet, and the characteristic MINI bonnet stripes extend over the roof to the rear end.

The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW also cuts an extremely dynamic figure from the side. The interplay of geometrically accentuated spats and sporty side skirts gives the car the appearance of powering forward even before it turns a wheel.

Together with the increased-diameter wheels, which almost fill the wheel arches, these elements strengthen the time-honoured MINI 'stance on the wheels'. The spats and spoilers are made - or more precisely 3D printed from recycled carbon fibre - in Oxford.

Yellow accent lines and surfaces on the aero elements provide a nod to the airflow optimisation taking place in these areas and add a visual flourish to the air deflectors and aero edges. The lightweight 18-inch forged wheels in bi-colour black-neon and orange design bring significant visual depth and added intricacy to the four-spoke items from the MINI John Cooper Works GP.

The respective colour worlds of the MINI Electric and John Cooper Works brand merge into a single statement here. The main body colour is a matt silver which extends back beyond the centre-point of the car. A high-gloss wrap with a two-stage colour gradient - from Highspeed Orange to Curbside Red metallic - then covers the rest of the body to the rear.

The contrast between matt and gloss surfaces brings extra smoothness to the silhouette, while the clear, diagonal separation lines between the different colours injects further dynamism. On the flanks, a chequered flag-inspired pattern shares the stage with a large MINI Electric logo, which can also be found in the radiator grille, on the roof and at the rear end. 

The rear end in black and Curbside Red metallic uses yellow accent surfaces to extend the eye-catching design language from the front end and flanks, and makes an extremely modern and dynamic statement. The prominent roof-mounted rear wing with air through-flow and yellow accent lines also integrates the signal light unit and was 3D printed at Plant Oxford.

The flared wheel arches accentuate the car's wide track and transition seamlessly into the pronounced rear apron. The rear apron has cut-outs around the wheels, clearing the view to the higher-grip racing tyres. Between the wheels sits an unadorned diffuser. When the car is viewed from this angle, the accents in Energetic Yellow and lack of exhaust tailpipes identify this as a car powered by an electric drive system.

The interior is stripped back to the absolute essentials with only the front seats remaining. The driver's area consists of a certified seat with six-point belt approved for both racing and road use, a steering wheel with minimalist-design carbon fibre impact absorber and a digital instrument cluster.

The central information display makes way for a carbon fibre cover here to further reduce weight. The centre console houses the gearshift lever, handbrake and controls for the necessary signal lights - all in exposed carbon fibre.

The carbon fibre door panels with window and door openers contain cloth straps to make closing the doors easier. Another central feature of the interior is the welded-in roll cage, which maximises safety. And the remainder of the stripped-out interior structure is also painted in typical racing white.

The steering wheel's minimalist impact absorber and the boost panel on the right-hand side of the wheel are high-quality, custom-made components, likewise the centre console cowling and door panelling on the driver's side. Another highlight are the removable pads on the sport seat, which are 3D-printed. The thickness, hardness and colour of the pads can be adapted as required according to the needs and taste of the driver.

Rigorous adherence to lightweight design principles gives the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by John Cooper Works a kerb weight of approximately 1,230kg, making it about 130kg lighter than the standard MINI Electric. The drive system produces 179bhp and 280Nm of torque, which enables the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by JCW to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.

Triple adjustable racing coilover suspension for rebound, compression, height and camber are fitted to the MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by John Cooper Works, together with race-spec suspension control arm mountings, a 10mm increase in track width, plus the four-piston brakes and wheels from the MINI John Cooper Works GP with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres to round off the overall package.

The MINI Electric Pacesetter inspired by John Cooper Works will come into use in Rome on 10 April 2021 at the second event of Formula E's 2021 season, with official Formula E Safety Car Driver Bruno Correia at the wheel.