- Mini has released a special edition JCW hatch to celebrate Timo Mäkinen's victory in the 1965 Monte Carlo rally.
- The Mini JCW Victory Edition will be available in either petrol or electric form.
- Mini won the Monte Carlo rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967, but was disqualified from a decisive win in 1966 for headlights that didn't conform to regulations.
Mini has announced the introduction of a new limited edition version of the John Cooper Works hatch that pays tribute to the Mini Cooper S that won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1965.
The Mini 1965 Victory Edition commemorates the historic victory achieved by driver Timo Mäkinen and co-driver Paul Easter, a victory the brand says established its "reputation for agility and performance in winter conditions."
The special edition is available in two variants: a petrol version that features a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine that produces 170kW and boasts a 0-100km/h time of 6.1 seconds, and an all-electric version that delivers up to 190kW and does the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The exterior of the 1965 Victory edition is finished in Chili Red paintwork, with a white bonnet stripe that continues across the roof and rear of the vehicle. Design elements referencing the 1965 rally car include a white “52” graphic on the sides and a "1965" badge located on the C-pillar.
The models are equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels; the petrol version utilises the JCW Lap Spoke 2-tone design, while the electric version features JCW Mastery Spoke black wheels. Both configurations include floating wheel hubs and edition-specific JCW valves. A panoramic roof is also available as an option.
The interior comes in a traditional John Cooper Works palette of anthracite and red, and features illuminated white “1965” lettering on the door sills and a dedication plaque referencing the Monte Carlo victory.
Additional heritage details are integrated throughout the cabin, including:
- "1965" detailing on the 6 o'clock spoke of the sports steering wheel.
- Specific lettering within the centre console.
- The historic "52" racing number displayed on the exclusive key cap.
While Mini Australia has announced that it will make 30 units available there, there is currently no word on a possible New Zealand release, although the company has confirmed the availability of the Paul Smith Edition here. The Australian market allocation will be split between petrol and electric variants, with 20 petrol-powered Mini John Cooper Works models and 10 all-electric MINI John Cooper Works models.
The vehicles are scheduled to arrive in Australian showrooms during Q2 2026, with final pricing to be confirmed closer to the launch date.
