Despite the technical reinvention of the Mini, the car’s iconic look is set to be maintained. Officials are keen to keep Mini’s design hallmarks – such as its round headlights and rounded front grille – intact. Indeed, it has been suggested that the new Mini Cooper will take some inspiration from the Mini hatchback of 2001 – the first generation of the hatchback to be produced under BMW ownership. Our AI-assisted renderings on this page show what the new model could look like.
And while the Cooper will remain a small car, its size in relation to rivals is understood to be up for discussion. Designers have previously shown how a smaller-than-expected Mini might look with 2011’s Mini Rocketman concept car, which measured just 3.4 metres long. By comparison, the current three-door Mini Cooper is 3.9 metres long.
The current Mini Cooper isn’t very spacious, with small car rivals including the MG4 and Peugeot e-208 providing better space for rear-seat passengers. Similarly, the car’s 210-litre boot space is among the smallest in the class. Shrinking the Cooper down, if at all, will be challenging due to the need to incorporate modern safety aids such as lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. However, we’d expect to see elements such as the current car’s rounded infotainment screen and physical climate controls retained for any future model.
Officials have already suggested that both three and five-door versions of the next Mini will be offered, with the former being a rarity in the small car class.
The next-generation Mini isn’t likely to arrive before 2029, and will lead a new generation of Mini models, with the Countryman also due to be replaced in 2030. And while prices are a long way from being decided, we’d expect the new Mini Cooper to retain its high price relative to rivals; a starting price of close to £30,000 is likely.
“The six months I spent with my Mini Cooper Electric were really enjoyable, because it’s one of the most fun cars in its class to drive. It already has agile handling and nippy acceleration, so the addition of rear-wheel drive on the next-generation model could make it even more engaging.” – Eleanor Cooper, news writer
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