Mini’s transition to electrification means that ICE-powered Mini’s are a dying breed, but they aren’t dead yet
by Robert Moore, on LISTEN 01:16Mini’s plans to produce only electric vehicles starting in 2030 obviously gives some time for the brand to transition, and that’s why we’re looking at an ICE-powered prototype of a next-gen Mini Cooper today. Since this is an early prototype, it’s covered in heavy camo, so we can’t see most of the design changes.
What we can tell you, though, is that it will retain that classic – and arguably outdated – Mini shape. It will feature a revised front fascia, new headlights, and a refreshed grille. This prototype doesn’t seem to be flaunting any changes in the rear, but the Mini Cooper EV does feature trapezoidal lights, so those could make their way to this model before it shifts into production.
With all of that said, don’t expect to see much in terms of powertrain or performance updates. Tweaks, if any, will probably be limited to updates to comply with emissions standards. The interior should see some updates, though, with the larger infotainment system being the highlight and the driver information center carry-over being the downside. There’s currently no solid debut date, but sometime in 2023 is a good guess, with sales to commence for the 2024 model year.
