Completely new, yet recognizable
In one fluid movement, Mini not only draws the curtain from the all-new Countryman, but also from the new Cooper! Cooper is the new model name for the model’s three and five-door hatchbacks, although Mini is currently only offering us the electric three-door.
Highlight Mini Cooper
- Recognizable, yet completely different
- More minimalist
- As electric Cooper E and Cooper SE
- Up to more than 400 kilometers range
- Petrol versions and five-door Cooper will follow later
Mini is innovating enormously. Today we are introduced to the brand new third generation Countryman, which is also available with electric powertrains for the first time, and the three and five-door hatchbacks are also being completely renewed. In this article we highlight the new Mini Cooper. That is the car that will replace the brand’s current three and five-door Hatchback. The Mini Cooper comes as a three and again as a five-door. As far as is known, the five-door will not have any electric powertrains, after all, Mini has devised the compact crossover Aceman to be marketed at the end of 2024. The three-door Mini Cooper will have both combustion engines and electric powertrains. The versions with petrol engines will follow in a few months. However, Mini now serves this completely new electric three-door Cooper.
Fair is fair: it is no longer a surprise what the electric three-door Mini looks like. As early as April this year, we were able to show you the electric three-door Cooper completely without camouflage material.
The new Mini Cooper next to its immediate predecessor.
Design
The Mini Cooper is immediately recognizable as a Mini. Just like its predecessor, the Cooper has B-pillars hidden behind glass and the shape of the windows and the way in which the roof is ‘imposed’ are all well-known Mini details. Still, a lot changes, especially at the rear. There, the Mini Cooper has more or less triangular taillights that are optically tied together with a black strip in which the model name is written out. The triangular shape is reminiscent of the Union Jack. This time, the light signature in the rear lights can be selected from various ‘light modes’. The charging connection can be found above the rear wheel arch.
More striking novelties: the rear window is a lot flatter and the rear spoiler above the rear window has been made longer to disguise this somewhat. The rear side windows have also become a lot longer. The Mini Cooper has door handles recessed into the doors and the round side mirrors have had to make way for more angular ones. Again, Mini’s hatchback has round LED headlights, though they’re considerably larger on the Cooper. As an option, Mini offers the option of choosing from three adjustable light signatures for the LED daytime running lights.
Talk about design evolution.
With its large round visors and narrower, higher grille, the new Cooper looks a little surprised at the world. The short overhangs at the front and rear have of course remained, which are design elements that Mini cannot throw overboard. What does disappear, by the way: the plastic wheel arch edges. The smoothened new look of the Cooper gives the car a cW value of 0.28. Like various other car manufacturers – including Opel – Mini also bans chrome. Instead, it uses Vibrant Silver as an accent color.
Interior
Mini will soon deliver the Cooper in four external versions. Trims, Mini calls them. The Essential is, as its name suggests, the simplest gear. It also comes as Classic, as Flavored and as sporty John Cooper Works. If you go for the Flavored, you can have the roof in a combination of three different colours. Cheerful. Each ‘Trim’ goes hand in hand with specific interior details, although there is plenty to personalize.
Mini Cooper
Speaking of the interior: that is also completely new but still recognizable. In the center of the dashboard you will again find a round element, but this time the infotainment screen placed there itself is actually round instead of rectangular. The OLED screen has a diameter of 24 centimeters and in fact also serves as an instrument panel. The software – Mini Operating System 9 – has the themes Core, Green and Go-Kart. Optionally, you get a projector under the display that immerses the dashboard in various color schemes and patterns. The Mini signature rocker switches are also present in the Cooper. There is no display behind the steering wheel. Mini does give the Cooper a head-up display. Anyone who says ‘Hey Mini’ can have a nice chat in the Cooper, a digital one Personal Assistant chat. That digital assistant can control certain functions in the car, but also provide information about, for example, the weather or the proximity of a coffee shop.
Dimensions and technique
The new Mini Cooper has a longer wheelbase than the outgoing Mini Hatchback. According to Mini, this not only provides more legroom in the back, but also a larger luggage space. It swallows 200 liters more than before. If you throw the back seat flat, you can carry 800 liters of stuff.
The electric Mini Cooper comes as Cooper E and as Cooper SE. The Mini Cooper E has a 184 hp and 290 Nm strong electric motor. There is a 40.7 kWh battery in the bottom, good for a range of 305 kilometers. This version reaches a speed of 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Fast charging is possible up to 75 kW.
The Mini Cooper SE provides more spice. It has a 218 hp and 330 Nm powerful electro heart that catapults the hatchback to 100 km / h in 6.7 seconds. The Cooper SE has a 54.2 kWh battery, good for a range of up to 402 kilometers. Not only is the Cooper SE faster than the Cooper E, it can charge faster too. The maximum charging capacity is 95 kW.
Mini Cooper and the Netherlands
Mini will start production of the new Cooper in November this year, then the first copies must leave the BMW factory in Leipzig. From 2030, Mini will only supply fully electric models.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl