Over the past year we’ve given you various looks at MINI’s biggest upgrade to its cabin in years, an all digital gauge cluster. First seen in the GP and MINI Electric concepts and we’ve heard from sources for years it was coming in the back half of the F56 production cycle. Finally five years after the F56 debut, it’s here. What will it do and when will it be available? Read on.

MINI DIGITAL GAUAGE CLUSTER
MINI DIGITAL GAUAGE CLUSTER
An early view of the all digital gauage cluster from 2017’s JCW GP concept.

What is the MINI Digital Gauge Cluster?

The new digital gauge cluster is intended to bring key information beyond just speed and RPM. Sources tell us to expect music, media, phone and navigation to be part of the new system and will bring an entirely new array of information and functionality to the driver’s view.

The photo above (taken from last years JCW GP concept) is identical to the physical design of the production unit you see above. Yes, you could say it was in front of us the whole time. As you can see in the top photo, the final version will be configuratable and will offer different display views based on preference. We expect this will range from green to sport mode as well as include navigation and other iDrive content.

When is it Available?

What’s so interesting is that we had originally learned of a plan to eventually introduce an all digital gauge cluster at the launch of the F56 in 2013. At the time it was being developed as a high-end option for later this decade. Now we’re seeing it come to fruition.

MINI will debut the digital gauge on the all electric MINI Cooper S E later this year. Then in March of 2020 MINI will make it optional on all other models.

It’s unclear what pricing will be but we expect it to be widely available and perhaps in standard on some models (similar to BMW’s approach).