MINI Cooper and Countryman EVs debut at IAA Mobility 2023

author: FutureCar Staff    

This year's IAA Mobility event in Munich will feature two world premieres from MINI, both of which are electric vehicles (EVs). The fourth-generation MINI Cooper and third-generation MINI Countryman have been teased over the past few months and will be officially presented at the event.

Starting with the Cooper, the carmaker has already revealed the exterior styling of the hatchback. While the general shape remains recognizable, the design has been simplified compared to the previous model. Notable design elements include a mostly blanked-off front grille with an octagonal shape and round headlamps that are integrated into the body. At the rear, triangular taillights are connected by a trim piece running across the tailgate.

Inside, the redesigned Cooper takes inspiration from the original Mini, with a circular OLED touchscreen display as the centrepiece. The display measures 9.4 inches in diameter and has an ultra-thin bezel. The speedometer is displayed within the centre circle, along with additional information like the current gear and remaining range. The Cooper also features a head-up display for crucial driving information.

The new model has relocated the panel of toggle switches, previously located beneath the air-conditioning controls. The panel is now higher and redesigned to house the gear selector switch and controls for select vehicle functions.

The fully electric Cooper will likely be known as the MINI Electric and will be offered in two variants. The first variant, called the E, will have a 40.7-kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor rated at 180 hp. The second variant, called the SE, will have a 54.2-kWh battery and 215 hp. These battery capacities exceed those of the outgoing MINI Electric, providing an expected range of between 300 to 400 km.

The new Cooper will also be available with combustion engines, in addition to electric powertrains. The hatchback will be manufactured in China through a partnership between the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor, while the combustion engine Cooper will be built in the United Kingdom.

As for the Countryman, no photos of the crossover without camouflage have been released yet. However, teaser images suggest that the general shape will be familiar. The new Countryman will be longer and taller than its predecessor, improving headroom.

Production of the upcoming Countryman will take place at BMW Group Plant Leipzig in Germany, marking the first time a MINI model is produced in the country. Similar to the Cooper, the Countryman will be offered with both all-electric and combustion engine powertrains.

The IAA Mobility 2023 event in September will provide a more complete picture of MINI's next-generation lineup. The event will also feature the debut of other models, including the latest G60 5 Series' plug-in hybrid variants and the Vision Neue Klasse.

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FutureCar Staff