Preview: Next Generation MINI Cooper Hatch
Rumors have swirled for years around MINI’s next generation hatch. We’ve heard everything from it going all electric to it getting smaller and more driver focused. Thanks to Autocar’s recent interview with MINI VP Bernd Körber, we now have some clear hints at the future.
New Mini hatch to be smaller and more advanced
The big news is that BMW is indeed moving forward with a petrol powered 4th generation MINI. The other bit of good news is that it will be both slightly more compact while losing none of the interior volume of the current car. Even better MINI is going on record in saying the interior experience will be totally different than anything we’ve ever see from the brand.
The G56 (likely code-name) will reach UK showrooms towards the end of 2022, nine years after the F56 was introduced. Under the hood will be a variety of powertrains including a new 48v mild-hybrid petrol engine with a particulate filter and functions such as automatic engine shutdown, coasting and brake energy recuperation. It will form the basis of the One, Cooper and Cooper S drivetrains. .
Offered alongside will be a second generation all electric MINI with a greater range and improved 150kW fast charting capability.
What of the highest performance MINIs? According to Korber there will be a full offering of JCW products including a 4th generation GP.
Shorter Front Overhang, Longer Wheelbase
The new hatch will be more evolutionary than revolutionary on the outside but will include several key changes. First and foremost the wheelbase will grow and the front overhang will shrink to the delight of MINI fans worldwide. There will be an evolution of MINI’s traditional design elements including the hexagonal grille, round headlights and ‘floating’ roof.
But it’s the shortened overhang that will be the biggest change giving the car a more traditional MINI-like appearance.
The interior will move away from the retro look of all recent models and instead will offer a much more modern approach.
According to Oliver Heilmer, head of Mini design, “A central issue here is interaction and this is something we have to shape. One approach for Mini would be to push the technology required into the background. There is a big opportunity but also a major challenge.”
Interestingly MINI has confirmed there will be a 4th generation convertible and five door, mirroring the current line-up.
Look for the next generation MINI Cooper to debut sometime in the second half of 2022 with an on sale date of Q4 2022 for Europe and Q1 2023 in North America.
What about any hint of the petrol powered version having a manual transmission??????
If they promise to be more driver focused you would think Yes…at least on the JCW’s, but I’m afraid the answer will be know. I’d appreciate anyone chiming in with info because it will have a great effect on whether I end up trading in my current R series for an F series or a G series. Thanx
So glad that the convertible will survive … with so few convertibles left on the market, there could be a pick-up of interest there.
I guess I’ll stop waiting now…retro is what revived the brand. It looks like they are heading in another direction.
Smaller and less front overhang sounds great to me. Throw in the manual and a good exhaust note for the S and I might be lured back to the MINI camp. I am less excited about the interior becoming more mainstream. Give me back my plate size speedometer and toggles.
YESSSS!!!!!!
no more facelifting for the F series ?
Good question Dominique. Regular readers of MF will recall that BMW announced last year that the previous seven year life cycle of models would henceforth be stretched to ten years. The F56 went on sale in the first half of 2014 and is, therefore, not expected to be replaced until early 2024.
The above report from Autocar appears to contradict itself. It is mostly the same report that it published on September 10, 2019, but with the update that the first fruit of the Joint Venture with Great Wall Motor will be an all-electric SUV rather than the replacement for the F56 which has been “pushed back”.
Autocar goes on to say that the new small MINI will go on sale in 2022. That, however, appears to be pure conjecture. The all-new factory which will build the JV, is on a green field site and construction work only started recently and will only be completed in late 2022.
Logistically therefore, the all-new all-electric SUV will likely go on sale in early 2023 and the all-new 2dr MINI Hardtop, which has been “pushed back”, will more likely go on sale in early 2024. One more update has been mooted for the F56 and the above timescale seems to support that.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-frankfurt-motor-show/mini-planning-smaller-and-larger-models-expand-range
thanks for the answer, we will see. I ordered mine…
Yes there are further updates coming.
Here you go.
<a href="https://www.carscoops.com/2020/06/current-mini-cooper-getting-one-last-facelift-looks-a-tad-more-mature/" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.carscoops.com/2020/06/current-mini-cooper-getting-one-last-facelift-looks-a-tad-more-mature/</a>
Referring back to Autocar’s report on September 10, 2019 and to company boss Bern Körber’s presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show, at which he said that he would “love to see the core MINI shrink again”. He went on to say, “We are having proportion and design discussions at the moment. The task now is to design it. In three to four years, I’d like to see the start of the next generation”.
In a separate interview, Bern Körber explained that BMW was experimenting with new absorbant materials which could be located between the front mounted engine and the grille, so that it would still comply with European pedestrian safety regulations even with a shortened front overhang. He added, “We are not there yet, but we hope to be in three to four years”.
BMW and GWM Joint Venture factory is now under construction in China:
<a href="https://www.just-auto.com/news/bmw-and-gwm-china-jv-factory-under-construction_id196278.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.just-auto.com/news/bmw-and-gwm-china-jv-factory-under-construction_id196278.aspx</a>