The MINI brand is dripping with heritage. While every modern MINI has had plenty of nods to the classic Mini stylistically, the brand is looking to make the connection even stronger with the upcoming electric MINIs. One of the ways it’s doing this is with the “Timeless” Experience Mode that will add a classic Mini-inspired interface design and sounds taken directly from an original 1959 Mini.
What’s an Experience Mode? With the new MINI family (the first models debuting this September), the brand is introducing “MINI Experience Modes,” which are designed to amplify the connection between drivers and their cars. Standard specification includes the Core, Green and Go-Kart Modes, each of which has its own specific user interface design. However it’s the optional Timeless Experience Mode that will likely appeal to a lot of long time MINI fans.
With Experience Modes MINI aims to immerse drivers in a personalized driving experience. By combining light and sound, they aim to elevate the overall driving encounter. Timeless brings the aesthetic of the original 1959 Classic Mini with a unique user interface and speedometer design that takes cues directly from the original.
Also present is sound that isn’t just inspired by the 1959 is actually taken directly from one of the first Minis ever built. MINI has synthesized the actual sound of the engine and other mechanicals to create an ode to the original.
In the MINI “Timeless” driving sound, MINI merged the past and present. The Sound Design team worked to capture the sound from an original 1959 Mini to seamless blend that retro vibe with a futuristic interpretation of the MINI driving sound.
Timeless brings the classic Mini aesthetic back with a refined serif typeface and a prominent speedometer, elegantly juxtaposed against a cream backdrop. Timeless Mode is particularly beautiful at night when the display and projections shift darker.
We can confirm both the J01 MINI Cooper electric and U25 MINI Countryman (electric & ICE) will offer Experience Modes at launch. Additionally we’re expecting the heavily revised F56 ICE MINIs to also have some elements of the Experience modes as well.
The J01 and U25 will debut at the Munich Motor Show this September. While MINI hasn’t confirmed production timing, our sources have confirmed that the J01 will go into production this fall in China and will be sold in Europe, Asia and South America initially. Plans for North America are still being finalized.
| J01 MINI Cooper (BEV) / China | Start of Production |
| J01 MINI Cooper E | 11/2023 |
| J01 MINI Cooper SE | 11/2023 |
| J01 MINI Cooper JCW | 11/2024* |
Similarly our sources have confirmed that we will see the all new U25 MINI Countryman begin production in Leipzig Germany in November with global exports happening in the months following.
| U25 / Leipzig, Germany | Start of Production |
| U25 ICE Countryman | 11/2023 |
| U25 ICE Countryman S | 11/2023* |
| U25 ICE Countryman JCW | 11/2023* |
| U25 BEV Countryman E | 03/2024 |
| U25 BEV Countryman SE | 03/2024* |
| U25 BEV Countryman JCW | TBD* |
I was against the imitation ICE sounds at first, but this could actually be fun. They could have different sounds throughout MINI’s history, including some new futuristic sounds. I came to this conclusion after watching the Road America races. Sound is a big part of the perception of speed. Although sometimes you don’t want the added noises and can opt to turn them off. It’s the best of both worlds and a big part of the digital world we’re heading deeper and deeper into, for better or worse (better because we’re reducing pollution and creating more efficient vehicles, or worse because I don’t think you can reduce everything to a digital experience).