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The BMW-Mini Thread
- Thread starter FiestaST
- Start date
HAL 9000
Honorary Master
- Joined
- May 27, 2008
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FiestaST
Honorary Master
New 2023 Mini 3-door Hatch: new look leaked in online images
Mini's flagship will enter a new generation in 2023 – and leaked images suggest the redesign will be extensive
New images leaked online give a good look at what appears to be the next-generation Mini 3-door Hatch.
The shots, which look to have been taken at a private Chinese testing facility, first appeared on Chinese media but are now circulating widely on social media (as below).
A number of prototypes appear to be undergoing testing in the images, most in camouflage, but one has been shown without its wrap, giving us our first uninhibited look at how Mini will reinvent its flagship model for its fourth generation.
The leaked images come shortly after Mini released official pictures of a prototype for the next-generation Mini, which hinted at a subtle styling evolution for the Fiat 500 rival.
But it's clear that underneath the camouflage, more radical design tweaks are on the cards, particularly at the rear, where striking angular light clusters replace the round items on today's car and are linked by a new piece of black trim that spans the width of the bootlid.
The front, too, is clearly distinguished from the current Mini range but retains the wide bar across its large grille and characteristic circular headlights.
What isn't immediately clear is whether Mini has taken steps to 'shrink' the fourth-generation hatch, as has long been reported to be the priority.
These shots only show the exterior from select angles but, as with the earlier official images, the indication is that the next generation will feature largely familiar proportions.
The leak also gives clues to Mini's new-era interior design ethos. True to form, the Mini hatchback features a large, round central display, although a head-up display looks to have taken the place of the conventional gauge cluster above the steering wheel, which adopts a new two-spoke design.
www.autocar.co.uk
Mini's flagship will enter a new generation in 2023 – and leaked images suggest the redesign will be extensive
New images leaked online give a good look at what appears to be the next-generation Mini 3-door Hatch.
The shots, which look to have been taken at a private Chinese testing facility, first appeared on Chinese media but are now circulating widely on social media (as below).
A number of prototypes appear to be undergoing testing in the images, most in camouflage, but one has been shown without its wrap, giving us our first uninhibited look at how Mini will reinvent its flagship model for its fourth generation.
The leaked images come shortly after Mini released official pictures of a prototype for the next-generation Mini, which hinted at a subtle styling evolution for the Fiat 500 rival.
But it's clear that underneath the camouflage, more radical design tweaks are on the cards, particularly at the rear, where striking angular light clusters replace the round items on today's car and are linked by a new piece of black trim that spans the width of the bootlid.
The front, too, is clearly distinguished from the current Mini range but retains the wide bar across its large grille and characteristic circular headlights.
What isn't immediately clear is whether Mini has taken steps to 'shrink' the fourth-generation hatch, as has long been reported to be the priority.
These shots only show the exterior from select angles but, as with the earlier official images, the indication is that the next generation will feature largely familiar proportions.
The leak also gives clues to Mini's new-era interior design ethos. True to form, the Mini hatchback features a large, round central display, although a head-up display looks to have taken the place of the conventional gauge cluster above the steering wheel, which adopts a new two-spoke design.
New 2023 Mini 3-door Hatch: new look leaked in online images | Autocar
Mini's flagship will enter a new generation in 2023 – and leaked images suggest the redesign will be extensive
www.autocar.co.uk
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Sneak images show radical new Mini design – inside and out
Bold new interior design for Mini’s EV.
New images have been captured of the forthcoming Cooper S EV, in China.
A series of exterior images and a single cabin photo show some telling details concerning the new battery-powered Mini.
For the British compact car division of BMW, electrification is vital. Its small cars are under pressure. Although correctly sized for the inner-city markets where they have traditionally been popular, the cost of electrifying a small car is high. And this risks pushing Mini beyond an acceptable pricing threshold.
The current Mini Cooper SE also has quite a limited range, which is fine for inner-city commuting, but possibly a weakness for weekend journeys. Especially in markets with poor recharging infrastructure.
Mini’s new Cooper S EV has a semi-panelled front, with the traditional mesh grille replaced by solid moulding. The traditional round headlights remain in place, but the bonnet is now a flush stamping, discarding the scoop, which features on Mini’s current Cooper SE electric.
The tailgate has been significantly redesigned, too. Gone are the two vertically orientated rectangular lights. These are replaced by triangular-shaped taillights, which mark a departure from legacy Mini design influences on the Cooper range.
Like many other hatchbacks and crossovers, the new Mini Cooper S EV has a solid detail panel, joining the taillights, to accentuate the vehicle’s width – when viewed from the rear.
Beyond the evolved exterior styling and design, there are many changes to Cooper’s cabin architecture. The most noticeable of these is the lack of an instrumentation binnacle.
Mini’s designers have opted for a clean dash from the driver’s point of view. Vehicle and road information is projected by a HUD.
www.cars.co.za
Bold new interior design for Mini’s EV.
New images have been captured of the forthcoming Cooper S EV, in China.
A series of exterior images and a single cabin photo show some telling details concerning the new battery-powered Mini.
For the British compact car division of BMW, electrification is vital. Its small cars are under pressure. Although correctly sized for the inner-city markets where they have traditionally been popular, the cost of electrifying a small car is high. And this risks pushing Mini beyond an acceptable pricing threshold.
The current Mini Cooper SE also has quite a limited range, which is fine for inner-city commuting, but possibly a weakness for weekend journeys. Especially in markets with poor recharging infrastructure.
Mini’s new Cooper S EV has a semi-panelled front, with the traditional mesh grille replaced by solid moulding. The traditional round headlights remain in place, but the bonnet is now a flush stamping, discarding the scoop, which features on Mini’s current Cooper SE electric.
The tailgate has been significantly redesigned, too. Gone are the two vertically orientated rectangular lights. These are replaced by triangular-shaped taillights, which mark a departure from legacy Mini design influences on the Cooper range.
Like many other hatchbacks and crossovers, the new Mini Cooper S EV has a solid detail panel, joining the taillights, to accentuate the vehicle’s width – when viewed from the rear.
Beyond the evolved exterior styling and design, there are many changes to Cooper’s cabin architecture. The most noticeable of these is the lack of an instrumentation binnacle.
Mini’s designers have opted for a clean dash from the driver’s point of view. Vehicle and road information is projected by a HUD.
Sneak images show radical new Mini design – inside and out
Bold new interior design for Mini’s EV. New images have been captured of the forthcoming Cooper S EV, in China. A series of exterior images and a single cabin photo show some telling details concerning the new battery-powered Mini. For the British compact car division of BMW, electrification is...
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Next-generation Mini Cooper spotted uncovered
The next-generation Mini Cooper has been spotted without any camouflage. The upcoming model boasts a familiar looking front but the rear design has been changed quite a bit. This new generation will arguably be the biggest deviation from the original model.
At the front, the Mini Cooper shows of an evolved face with smoother contours across the bumper and bonnet. The large circular LED headlamps remain as well as the bold plastic divider that runs through the grille. Throughout the front, a series of cameras and parking sensors interrupt the smooth lines.
The rear is a bit less conventional as the Mini Cooper does away with its iconic rectangular taillamps for a more triangular shape. A gloss black bar runs along the tailgate to connect the two LED clusters. The bumper sports a subtle black diffuser, parking sensors and reflectors on each end.
www.carmag.co.za
The next-generation Mini Cooper has been spotted without any camouflage. The upcoming model boasts a familiar looking front but the rear design has been changed quite a bit. This new generation will arguably be the biggest deviation from the original model.
At the front, the Mini Cooper shows of an evolved face with smoother contours across the bumper and bonnet. The large circular LED headlamps remain as well as the bold plastic divider that runs through the grille. Throughout the front, a series of cameras and parking sensors interrupt the smooth lines.
The rear is a bit less conventional as the Mini Cooper does away with its iconic rectangular taillamps for a more triangular shape. A gloss black bar runs along the tailgate to connect the two LED clusters. The bumper sports a subtle black diffuser, parking sensors and reflectors on each end.
Next-generation Mini Cooper spotted uncovered - CAR Magazine
The next-generation Mini Cooper has been spotted without any camouflage. The upcoming model boasts a familiar looking front but the rear design has been changed quite a bit. This new generation will arguably be the biggest deviation from the original model.
www.carmag.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
EV City Car Deathmatch - Mini Cooper SE v Peugeot e-208 v Renault Zoe v Honda e v Fiat 500e | Fifth Gear
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Mini Cooper SE v Peugeot e-208 v Honda e: Style, build quality & practicality | Fifth Gear
FiestaST
Honorary Master
savagegeese review of the 2022 Cooper S Convertible
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Electric Mini Review - Is South Africa's cheapest electric car worth the price? - Cars.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Mini Cooper SE (2022) Review
The Mini Cooper SE sells for R709 400, which includes a 2-year/unlimited km manufacturer- and a 8-year/100 000 km hybrid-battery warranty, as well as a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Mini offers a variety of finance packages, including one that will allow you to return the vehicle at the end of a set period. Leasing is a good way to dip your toe into EV motoring and find out if a BEV suits your lifestyle.
To work out your home charging costs, multiply the cost you pay for electricity by the battery’s capacity. In the case of the electric Mini, 32 kWh battery x R1.82 per unit = R58. So that’s almost R60 to travel at least 160 km, which is cheaper than the petrol-powered Mini, but the latter is cheaper to buy, which means it will take you quite a while to offset the difference in price. As a reminder, fast-charging is free.
Verdict
The attraction of using a wieldy and nippy small electric car to commute in a bustling city is undeniable. If you have a 2-car household, you could make a case for using the all-electric Mini as your “daily runabout”… While the mode of transport for long trips will remain a larger internal combustion-engined vehicle, the Cooper SE could be the ideal car with which to “quickly dash to the shops or gym”.
Should you buy one? Unfortunately, even though the Mini Cooper SE offers a novel and engaging driving experience, it loses some (perhaps too much) of its appeal due to its limited range. Simply put, it’s a highly fashionable – but rather expensive – source of basic electric mobility. In the same way that a scooter offers you a quick way to get to the shops, the electrified Mini is only suitable for short commutes.
While we are proponents of electric vehicles and would probably change our lifestyles to accommodate BEVs’ shortcomings, many potential Mini Cooper SE buyers may not be willing to drastically change their driving habits. This is a glimpse at Mini’s near future and, given advances in battery tech and the continued rollout of charging infrastructure, “the BEV ownership proposition” will only grow stronger.
www.cars.co.za
Fast Facts
- Model tested: Cooper SE Hatch 3-door
- Price: R709 400
- Engine: Single electric motor
- Power/Torque: 135 kW/270 Nm
- Transmission: Automatic
- Economy: 17.5 kWh/100 km (claimed)
- Range: 215 km (claimed)
- 0-100kph: 7.3 seconds (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 211 litres
The Mini Cooper SE sells for R709 400, which includes a 2-year/unlimited km manufacturer- and a 8-year/100 000 km hybrid-battery warranty, as well as a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Mini offers a variety of finance packages, including one that will allow you to return the vehicle at the end of a set period. Leasing is a good way to dip your toe into EV motoring and find out if a BEV suits your lifestyle.
To work out your home charging costs, multiply the cost you pay for electricity by the battery’s capacity. In the case of the electric Mini, 32 kWh battery x R1.82 per unit = R58. So that’s almost R60 to travel at least 160 km, which is cheaper than the petrol-powered Mini, but the latter is cheaper to buy, which means it will take you quite a while to offset the difference in price. As a reminder, fast-charging is free.
Verdict
The attraction of using a wieldy and nippy small electric car to commute in a bustling city is undeniable. If you have a 2-car household, you could make a case for using the all-electric Mini as your “daily runabout”… While the mode of transport for long trips will remain a larger internal combustion-engined vehicle, the Cooper SE could be the ideal car with which to “quickly dash to the shops or gym”.
Should you buy one? Unfortunately, even though the Mini Cooper SE offers a novel and engaging driving experience, it loses some (perhaps too much) of its appeal due to its limited range. Simply put, it’s a highly fashionable – but rather expensive – source of basic electric mobility. In the same way that a scooter offers you a quick way to get to the shops, the electrified Mini is only suitable for short commutes.
While we are proponents of electric vehicles and would probably change our lifestyles to accommodate BEVs’ shortcomings, many potential Mini Cooper SE buyers may not be willing to drastically change their driving habits. This is a glimpse at Mini’s near future and, given advances in battery tech and the continued rollout of charging infrastructure, “the BEV ownership proposition” will only grow stronger.
Mini Cooper SE (2022) Review
The Mini Cooper SE is the most affordable new battery-electric vehicle in SA, but it has a few drawbacks... Can it justify its price premium?
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Mini range gains three new special editions with exclusive designs
Model range gains Resolute, Untold and Untamed editions with new designs and improved equipment
The Mini model range has gained three new special editions, each with an exclusive design and extra standard equipment.
Mini said the special editions, named Resolute, Untold and Untamed, emphasise its models' “individual characteristics”, which can be tailored to a driver’s personal needs and requirements.
Resolute Edition applies to 3dr, 5dr, Convertible and Electric models and offers a sportier visual appearance. Mini said it provides “go-kart handling and charisma”.
The hard-top models gain a roof and mirror caps coloured white, while other exterior trim parts are in bronze, including the headlight surrounds, radiator grille, side scuttles, door handles and tailgate.
Cooper S models gain a radiator grille, struts and tailpipe trims finished in black and are equipped with 18in black alloy wheels in the Pulse Spoke design. The Electric, meanwhile, is fitted with 17in wheels in the Electric Collection Spoke design.
Inside, Resolute Edition cars receive sports seats and black armrests, ambient lighting, Mini’s latest 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system and selectable driving modes.
www.autocar.co.uk
Model range gains Resolute, Untold and Untamed editions with new designs and improved equipment
The Mini model range has gained three new special editions, each with an exclusive design and extra standard equipment.
Mini said the special editions, named Resolute, Untold and Untamed, emphasise its models' “individual characteristics”, which can be tailored to a driver’s personal needs and requirements.
Resolute Edition applies to 3dr, 5dr, Convertible and Electric models and offers a sportier visual appearance. Mini said it provides “go-kart handling and charisma”.
The hard-top models gain a roof and mirror caps coloured white, while other exterior trim parts are in bronze, including the headlight surrounds, radiator grille, side scuttles, door handles and tailgate.
Cooper S models gain a radiator grille, struts and tailpipe trims finished in black and are equipped with 18in black alloy wheels in the Pulse Spoke design. The Electric, meanwhile, is fitted with 17in wheels in the Electric Collection Spoke design.
Inside, Resolute Edition cars receive sports seats and black armrests, ambient lighting, Mini’s latest 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system and selectable driving modes.
Mini range gains three new special editions with exclusive designs | Autocar
Model range gains Resolute, Untold and Untamed editions with new designs and improved equipment
www.autocar.co.uk
FiestaST
Honorary Master
MINI SE meets Austin Cooper S - Creative Club
Motoring journalist and photographer Ian McLaren spent the day with two landmark MINIs – the new all-electric MINI SE and a rare 1964 Austin Cooper S – and found that, despite the obvious differences, old and new have some profound commonalities.
www.creativeclub.co.za
FiestaST
Honorary Master
New 2023 Mini Electric hatch spotted winter testing
UK-built Fiat 500 rival is set to arrive with ICE and EV powertrains
A prototype of the new Mini Electric has been spotted undergoing winter tests in Northern Europe ahead of an expected 2023 launch.
The car was photographed in the snow sporting a yellow, line-obscuring livery, with black wheel rims and an ‘electric test vehicle’ label on both sides and the rear of the car.
Despite the camouflage, the Mini's squat shape is clear to see, and the prototype appeared with a covered front end. The model’s new, revamped lights, a defining feature or the Fiat 500 rival, continue to hint at an extensive visual refresh for the model.
The highly-anticipated, all-electric model will be built in China on a new, dedicated platform as part of a joint venture with Great Wall Motors. It will launch alongside an Oxford-built petrol variant.
The model was officially previewed by Mini in November last year, wearing a different black and white chequered livery. The car is expected to spearhead the reform of the Mini line-up as the brand overhauls its production processes before making the switch to all-electric by the early 2030s.
www.autocar.co.uk
UK-built Fiat 500 rival is set to arrive with ICE and EV powertrains
A prototype of the new Mini Electric has been spotted undergoing winter tests in Northern Europe ahead of an expected 2023 launch.
The car was photographed in the snow sporting a yellow, line-obscuring livery, with black wheel rims and an ‘electric test vehicle’ label on both sides and the rear of the car.
Despite the camouflage, the Mini's squat shape is clear to see, and the prototype appeared with a covered front end. The model’s new, revamped lights, a defining feature or the Fiat 500 rival, continue to hint at an extensive visual refresh for the model.
The highly-anticipated, all-electric model will be built in China on a new, dedicated platform as part of a joint venture with Great Wall Motors. It will launch alongside an Oxford-built petrol variant.
The model was officially previewed by Mini in November last year, wearing a different black and white chequered livery. The car is expected to spearhead the reform of the Mini line-up as the brand overhauls its production processes before making the switch to all-electric by the early 2030s.
New 2023 Mini Electric hatch spotted winter testing | Autocar
UK-built Fiat 500 rival is set to arrive with ICE and EV powertrains
www.autocar.co.uk
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Wheels Australia review of the 2022 Cooper JCW
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Mini Cooper SE Resolute Edition
With its combination of tradition-steeped design features and forward-looking drive technology, the MINI Cooper SE in the Resolute Edition is a striking embodiment of individual style. The edition model of the purely electrically powered model based on the MINI 3 door offers a particularly appealing blend of classic sporty flair and sustainability. Its exclusive exterior design makes for an authentic appearance inspired by the brand's history. In this way, the MINI Cooper SE in the Resolute Edition clearly conveys the message that locally emission-free driving fun has now become an integral part of the brand's character and its more than 60-year history.
With its 135 kW/184 hp electric motor and thrillingly agile handling, the MINI Cooper SE transfers the brand's hallmark go-kart feeling to the world of electric mobility. Its range of up to 234 kilometres - determined according to the WLTP test cycle - enables locally emission-free driving fun both in an urban setting and on outings well beyond the city limits. These are the qualities that have made the fully electric MINI the brand's most popular model variant, with global sales figures having almost doubled in 2021. The exclusive design and equipment features of the Resolute Edition now give sustainable driving fun even greater appeal.
With a body finish in Rebel Green - previously reserved for the extremely athletic John Cooper Works models - and the contrasting Pepper White finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps, the MINI Cooper SE in the Resolute Edition has a sporty look in tradition-steeped British style. The deliberate avoidance of chrome elements on the exterior provides a look ahead to the future: instead, the hallmark design features are finished in exclusive Resolute Bronze. These include the surrounds of the headlights, radiator grille and rear lights, the side scuttles on the front side panels and the handles of the doors and tailgate. By contrast, the surrounding strip at the lower edge of the windscreen is finished in Piano Black, as are the inner frame of the radiator grille, the brand logos and the model inscription.
With its combination of tradition-steeped design features and forward-looking drive technology, the MINI Cooper SE in the Resolute Edition is a striking embodiment of individual style. The edition model of the purely electrically powered model based on the MINI 3 door offers a particularly appealing blend of classic sporty flair and sustainability. Its exclusive exterior design makes for an authentic appearance inspired by the brand's history. In this way, the MINI Cooper SE in the Resolute Edition clearly conveys the message that locally emission-free driving fun has now become an integral part of the brand's character and its more than 60-year history.
With its 135 kW/184 hp electric motor and thrillingly agile handling, the MINI Cooper SE transfers the brand's hallmark go-kart feeling to the world of electric mobility. Its range of up to 234 kilometres - determined according to the WLTP test cycle - enables locally emission-free driving fun both in an urban setting and on outings well beyond the city limits. These are the qualities that have made the fully electric MINI the brand's most popular model variant, with global sales figures having almost doubled in 2021. The exclusive design and equipment features of the Resolute Edition now give sustainable driving fun even greater appeal.
With a body finish in Rebel Green - previously reserved for the extremely athletic John Cooper Works models - and the contrasting Pepper White finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps, the MINI Cooper SE in the Resolute Edition has a sporty look in tradition-steeped British style. The deliberate avoidance of chrome elements on the exterior provides a look ahead to the future: instead, the hallmark design features are finished in exclusive Resolute Bronze. These include the surrounds of the headlights, radiator grille and rear lights, the side scuttles on the front side panels and the handles of the doors and tailgate. By contrast, the surrounding strip at the lower edge of the windscreen is finished in Piano Black, as are the inner frame of the radiator grille, the brand logos and the model inscription.
FiestaST
Honorary Master
Kelley Blue Book review of the 2022 Cooper Electric