2014 Mini John Cooper Works previewed

The concept headed for the January debut points to the new larger Mini Cooper JCW arriving in the middle of 2014, and it will likely shed little of the show car's wardrobe on the way to the production line -- except perhaps the hand-finished surface of the grey and red livery.

Features likely to survive are the larger air intakes in the front fascia to punt breeze into the engine bay, the JCW black-bevel grille and full LED headlights.

Mini says the longer wheelbase and wider track of the new car have boosted the car's handling abilities, further helped by an aerodynamic bodykit with side skirts and rear apron with flaps and diffuser, sports exhaust and twin chromed tailpipes. The show car also gets a roof spoiler and a dimple behind the front wheelarch to channel air around the C-pillar.

With the aerodynamics working in concert with weight savings and a tweaked suspension, Mini says the JCW offers 'hardcore driving fun'.

While the new standard Mini will offer turbo three-cylinder engines, the JCW will continue with a four-cylinder, and although details are yet to be released it will logically have higher outputs than the Cooper S turbocharged 2.0-litre four's 141kW of power between 4700-6000rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1250rpm.