BMW resolves Mini's major issue, yet a lingering query remains

Over the years, I have reviewed numerous Mini cars and one consistent issue has always stood out: the infotainment display did not align with the overall design. While the interior design, under BMW's guidance, featured a large round central device to pay homage to the original 1960s Minis, the transition to a digital display in recent years was not successful.

The problem stemmed from the rectangular display that was inserted into the middle of the round design, leaving wasted space at the top and bottom. I highlighted this issue in several reviews, including ones from 2017, 2018, and the launch of the Mini Electric in 2020.

Although Mini has not officially announced the next-generation Mini Electric, we anticipate the release of a 2024 model later in 2023. Mini has started discussing this upcoming model and has revealed a radical redesign of the interior, particularly the central display.

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 undergone a complete redesign, and the central round device is now a single large OLED display, encompassing the entire area.

Measuring 240mm in diameter (9.5 inches), the OLED display offers deep blacks, vibrant colors, and, based on what I have seen, it looks absolutely stunning.

This expanded display provides more space for the infotainment system, which is now animated and fun, offering a variety of different views. Mini claims there are eight different designs that users can swipe through. This aligns with Mini's goal of delivering a fun and engaging driving experience targeted at younger buyers, and many of the new features in the upcoming Mini will reinforce this.

However, the large round display is not the only notable change. Mini has also incorporated a tech feature from the Mini Aceman Concept unveiled in 2022. It involves the use of internal projectors that can project color across the dashboard, with the projector positioned behind the screen. This builds upon the ambient lighting trend that has been prevalent in cars for the past decade.

As a result, there is no longer a separate driver display, as Mini intends for all necessary information to be easily accessible on the central display. For driving-related information, users are encouraged to utilize the heads-up display. The exact balance between the two remains to be seen, but the current Mini dials are already quite minimal.

In addition to these changes, Mini is transitioning to Mini Operating System 9, which will be based on Android. However, it will not be Google-certified, so the focus is not solely on Android apps (although it will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay wirelessly). The new system will introduce a revamped navigation experience, including an augmented reality view on the central display, as well as support for AirConsole gaming (using your phone as the controller) and services like Spotify. Compared to the previous infotainment offering, this will be a significant improvement.

This addresses the major issue that Mini faced with its previous models, but one challenge still remains: electric range.

The second biggest problem I have encountered with the Mini Electric is its limited range, which currently stands at around 140 miles. While a smaller battery results in a lower price, range anxiety is a genuine concern, and having greater range is always advantageous. Although Mini has not disclosed technical details about the new Mini Electric's performance, it has confirmed that it will be an electric vehicle. Mini refers to it as the "new Mini Cooper Electric." With a fresh design and a stunning internal display, the future looks electrifying.