The petrol-powered Mini John Cooper Works cars are here, starting from £31k

As night follows day, so ICE follows… EV. Here are the petrol-powered Mini John Cooper Works cars, revealed digitally before your very eyes now, before being delivered into reality before your very eyes… early next year.

And, as anyone who’s been fastidiously charting the language around these little terriers, yes, Mini once again makes mention of ‘go-kart’ handling. Only once, mind, but still.

In assistance to… that, is Mini’s trusty 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine fuelled by petroleum, able to convert old dinosaurs into 228bhp, 280lb ft of torque, and a fair bit of forward momentum. Like 0-62mph in 6.1s and a 155mph top speed for the JCW hatch, or 6.4s and 152mph in the JCW Convertible.

Both get a dual-clutch auto ‘box, and while Mini – only once, mind – assures us of its go-kart handling, we’re not given specifics about the chassis and suspension. Only that the former has been treated to some “race-inspired adjustments”, and the latter is “dialled up”.

Anyone who’s been fastidiously charting the chassis history around these little terriers will know that normally means stiffer, lower, firmer, go-kart- no, we can’t. Sorry.

This being the little Mini that can, means it gets 17in black alloys (or 18s as an option), a standard-fit ‘Chili Red’ body colour (or seven other options), black detailing, a sculpted rear diffuser, red calipers, and a centrally-mounted exhaust offered for the first time.

Naturally it’s schportier inside too, with things like knitted red stitching making an appearance, black (synthetic) leather, stainless steel pedals, a JCW steering wheel and a high-res OLED central display. This gets the modes lesser Minis get barring a new one: JCW. This naturally gives you JCW-y things like power, torque, engine temp and G force readouts.

There are 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround view cameras allowing the JCW to feed back traffic conditions, apply distance control for the cruise, and help when parking.

Want to park one in your driveway? Prices for the Mini JCW hatch start from £31,200, while the JCW Convertible kicks off at £35,200. Want to silently park one in your driveway? Head this way for info on the (more powerful) electric JCWs.