MINI JCW GPE hot hatch shown testing

MINI has released pictures of a new prototype for a wild pure-electric MINI JCW GPE hot hatch that could be introduced in the near future.

The working mule, shown lapping the fearsome Nurburgring, features the same blanked-out grille as the MINI Electric but, from there on, the GPE's styling mirrors the hardcore petrol MINI JCW GP.

In fact, it looks almost identical, with the battery-powered hot hatch getting the JCW GP's huge rear wing and striking flared carbon-fibre wheel-arch covers.

Big brakes lurking behind the GPE's forged 18-inch alloy rims, meanwhile, hint at the huge reserves of performance the production JCW GPE will offer, with the fast MINI set to offer at least twice as much power as the MINI Electric that churns out 135kW and 270Nm of torque.

Officially, MINI hasn't released any technical details but the GPE is hotly tipped to produce significantly more than the 225kW and 450Nm the flagship MINI GP's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder musters, meaning it should easily beat the 5.2 seconds that the petrol hatch takes to reach 100km/h from standstill.

With power hovering around 300kW for the MINI GPE, engineers might choose to package a second electric motor to drive the rear axle to provide greater traction off the line. If so, expect a 0-100km/h dash of less than 4.0 seconds.

As well as more powerful electric motors, the new GPE may also get a bigger battery than the MINI Electric's small 32.6kWh unit. If so, the electric hot hatch should boast a better range than the base car that can only cover up to 177km between charges.

Commenting on the development of an electric hot hatch, MINI's boss Bernd Koerber said: "We’re working hard to develop concepts for John Cooper Works models with electric drive.

“Meanwhile, John Cooper Works models with conventional combustion engines will continue to have an important role to play in addressing the wishes and needs of our motorsport enthusiasts around the world."

Korber has given no date for the JCW GPE's introduction, despite the prototype looking like it could be at a late stage of development.

Remarks suggesting a pure-electric hot hatch would rely on "future MINI vehicle architecture" suggest enthusiasts might have to wait until the all-new replacement for the current F55 MINI hatch arrives later in 2021.

Before the production version of the MINI JCW GPE arrives, the BMW-owned British brand is keen to roll out a pure-electric SUV.

The second EV looks set to revive the Paceman name and will be developed as part of a joint venture with China's Great Wall Motors.

Next, a second-generation MINI Electric will be introduced that will be built on new architecture compared to the petrol range.

Finally, the Countryman SUV will also grow in size and be developed alongside the next-generation BMW X1.