BMW addresses Mini's major issue, but a lingering query remains

Over the years, I have reviewed numerous Mini cars and one consistent issue has always been the infotainment display. It simply did not fit well with the interior design. While the interior design, under BMW's guidance, incorporated a large round central device to pay homage to the original 1960s Minis, the transition to a digital display in recent years never quite worked.

The problem was that a rectangular display was inserted into the middle of the round design, creating wasted space at the top and bottom. I have mentioned this issue in several reviews, including in 2017, 2018, and with the launch of the Mini Electric in 2020.

Although Mini has not officially announced the next-generation Mini Electric, it is expected to launch a 2024 model in late 2023. Mini has started discussing this upcoming model and has revealed a radical redesign of the central display in the interior.

I recently had the opportunity to see this new interior, and I am thrilled about the change that I have been advocating for years. The dashboard has been completely redesigned, and the central round device is now one large OLED display that encompasses the entire area, rather than just being a central panel.

The OLED display measures 240mm in diameter, which is a massive 9.5 inches. Thanks to its OLED technology, it offers deep blacks, vibrant colors, and from what I have seen, it looks absolutely stunning.

This larger display provides much more space for the infotainment system, which is now animated and fun, offering a range of different views. Mini claims that there are eight different designs that users can swipe through. This aligns with Mini's aim to provide a fun driving experience, particularly targeted at younger buyers, and many of the new features in the Mini will reinforce this.

The central display is not the only change. Mini has also adopted a technology feature from the Mini Aceman Concept, which was unveiled in 2022, and is incorporating it into the production model. This feature involves the use of internal projectors that can project colors across the dashboard, with the projector positioned behind the screen. This builds upon the ambient lighting trend that has been prevalent in cars over the past decade.

As part of this redesign, there is no longer a separate driver display. Instead, Mini intends for all necessary information to be easily visible on the central display. Additionally, driving information will be presented through a heads-up display. The exact balance of these displays will only be known once the car is driven, but currently, the Mini's dials are already quite minimal.

Furthermore, this change also introduces the Mini Operating System 9, which will be based on Android but not Google-certified. This means that the new system will not only support Android apps (including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly), but it will also provide a new navigation experience, including an augmented reality view on the central display. Additionally, it will support AirConsole gaming, where users can use their phones as controllers, as well as services like Spotify. Compared to the previous infotainment offering, this new system will be a significant improvement.

So, this addresses the major issue that Mini faced with its previous cars. However, there is still one remaining challenge: electric range.

The second biggest problem I have with the Mini Electric is its limited range of about 140 miles. While a smaller battery results in a lower price, range anxiety remains a concern, and having a longer range is always advantageous. Currently, Mini has not confirmed any technical details about the performance of the new Mini Electric, but it has confirmed that it will be an electric vehicle. Mini refers to it as the "new Mini Cooper Electric." With its fresh design and stunning internal display, it presents an electrifying prospect.