The first images of the future English city car have been unveiled. Mini announces its arrival for 2023, in electric but also in thermal.
Released in 2014, the Mini Hatch (3 and 5 doors) is now showing the weight of years and recently received a second restyling. Her replacement is expected for 2023, as Mini confirmed in a statement on its strategy.
Official photos of a prototype still camouflaged circulate on the web, and would have been provided by Mini directly. They show the city car in its electric version with 3 doors. Mini’s overall look is recognizable, with the brand’s usual gimmicks since 2001 like the flat roof and round headlights up front. These are enlarged, as are the taillights and rims, to give the impression of a shorter vehicle despite similar dimensions. On the other hand, we note a more sloping windshield, redesigned handles and mirrors and a more traditional opening hood than the current bodybuilder hood, which incorporates a large part of the fenders.
The interior is still a secret, but could be simplified like the Strip concept created with Paul Smith. The central screen should however keep the same round shape., a nod to the counters of the old Mini. On the materials side, the design boss Oliver Heilmer recently announced to our colleagues at Coach that the future Mini would no longer have leather.
The thermal will not be abandoned immediately
The brand recently confirmed its ambitions with full electrification from 2030, but is not abandoning thermal energy. Indeed, the fourth generation of the English city car will be always offered with efficient thermal engines in addition to electric, already in the catalog with the Mini Cooper SE and soon available in sporty JCW. In France, the share of electrified models is now approaching 30%.
The next generation of the Mini Hatch will be marketed from 2023, with production at the Oxford plant, UK. The convertible, formerly made in the Netherlands, will join the declination closed in the English factory. Mini is also announcing production in China for some of the electric units dedicated to the local market but also to export.
A new compact crossover and the future Countryman in 2023
A new compact crossover will join the range at the same time, to offer a little more space for small families. This future model, which could replace the Mini 5-door, will also be offered in electric or thermal. As for the future Countryman, he should also evolve. Based on the platform of the BMW X1, it will be more imposing and will be entitled to a 100% electric variant in addition to the thermal engines.. The SUV will this time be built in Germany, at the Leipzig plant.
Photos: Mini
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