Electric Minis revive original's playful spirit

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【Summary】The fifth generation of the BMW-era Mini has been revealed, featuring a more pared-back and minimalist design. Both the Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman are now available in all-electric versions for the first time. The new design, called 'Charismatic Simplicity', aims to reset three generations of distortion by smoothing off surfaces and integrating elements more effectively.

FutureCar Staff Sep 04, 2023 5:11 AM PT

Electric Minis revive original's playful spirit

The BMW-era Mini is known for its compact size, although it has gradually increased in size over the years. The original Mini from 2000 fit well into the compact city car class of that time.

The fifth generation of the Mini, along with the third generation of the larger Mini Countryman, is set to be unveiled at the 2023 IAA International Motor Show in Munich. Both models will have all-electric versions available, marking the first time for the Countryman.

The new Mini models feature a more simplified design language, which Mini refers to as 'Charismatic Simplicity'. This design approach aims to bring back the original simplicity of the Mini, with smoother surfaces and better integration of elements like the rear lights.

Paul Smith's minimalist Mini Electric seems to have influenced the design of these new models, with a focus on minimalism and clean lines.

The interior of both models is dominated by a 24cm circular touch-screen information display, reminiscent of the original Mini's central speedometer. Other notable features include a houndstooth dash pattern and the Mini Operating System 9, which includes an 'intelligent personal assistant' and seven different driving modes.

While the Countryman has grown larger, it shares the tech upgrades of its smaller sibling, including semi-automated driving and self-parking capabilities. Both models will be available with traditional combustion engines, but Mini is emphasizing the capabilities of the electric versions. The Countryman will have a range of around 287 miles, while the smaller Cooper will have a range of 190 miles in 'E' trim and 250 miles in 'SE' trim.

Both the new Mini and Mini Countryman will be available on the market next year, and further details about their performance and features will be explored at that time.

MINI Cooper Electric will be priced starting from £30,000 and will be available in spring 2024. MINI Countryman will be priced starting from £28,500 and will be available in February 2024. For more information, visit Mini.co.uk.