Who knows what the BMW Group thinks it achieves by labeling 99 percent production-ready cars as studies, but it is what it is and we’re seeing it again at the 2014 Detroit motor show with the new Mini John Cooper Works Concept.

A study only in the name, the John Cooper Works (JCW) edition builds on the latest generation Mini Hatch we saw at the Los Angeles and Tokyo motor shows in November of 2013 and it previews the production car set for release within the next year.

Mini isn’t talking about the powertrain in the JCW, but it is believed that it will use a tuned version of the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine found in the Cooper S, where it delivers 189HP (192PS) – so expect the JCW to have well over 200 ponies.

As the top dog in the hatchback’s range, the JCW looks the part with an aggressive aero-makeover that includes different bumpers with air-ducts, a rear diffuser, side skirts, roof spoiler, trim accents, plus different 18-inch wheels.

PHOTO GALLERY

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