Mini has big plans for the 2023 model year. First of all, the Cooper will have a very interesting faith: there will be both a gasoline-powered version built in Oxford, U.K., but there will also be an all-electric version built in China.

Next in line is the Countryman. Mini began testing the new generation Countryman back in November 2021, and it seems that major changes will be applied here, too.

First of all, yes, your eyes are not playing tricks on you: the next Countryman will grow in size. It will be based on the same FAAR platform as the BMW X1, which means its dimensions will move from a crossover to a compact SUV. If we were to talk about numbers, the next Countryman will grow 7.5 inches in length; up from the current 169.7 inches to 177.2 inches.

The new FAAR platform will also allow the next Countryman to be offered with internal combustion engines, a PHEV version, and a fully electric avatar. However, rumors suggest that for the new generation, the plug-in hybrid version will be ditched to make room for the Countryman EV. It will, of course, feature a lot of its DNA with the electric BMW X1 - aka the iX1.

Since the model will grow in size, it will also offer a roomier cabin, with more rear space for the passengers and more space for the luggage. Since we are talking about the interior, our spy photographers were able to take a few shots of it, too, helping us make a pretty good idea of what to expect.

The British manufacturer did an amazing job covering the dashboard, but even so, we can still spot a few interesting elements. There is a small fake screen that hides a bigger one right under it, the round screen in the center has grown in size and it will be fully digital. The gear shifter has moved from the center console to a switch just under the big round screen, much closer to the driver. We are just wondering if that emergency hammer will be part of the standard equipment?

Under the hood, the Countryman will share its engine lineup with the X1. For example, for the U.S. market, it could come with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The new Countryman will be unveiled sometime in 2023. Rumors suggest that it will also be offered as a coupe. The Paceman moniker will also make a comeback. The model will be built next to the BMW X1 at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig, Germany.