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Mini is preparing for the fourth generation of its modern lineup, and among the first members to arrive is the redesigned Hardtop, prototypes of which have already been spotted.
The car will debut later this year or early next year, as a 2025 model, and Mini will again call it the Cooper. Today, Cooper is the name of the base class Hardtop.
There will be gas and electric versions. The prototype we found was for the gas version. The prototype for the electric version is shown in the teaser shot below.
This time, the electric Cooper will be based on a special electric vehicle platform developed by the BMW Group and Great Wall Motors in a Chinese joint venture known as the Spotlight, and production of the electric version will be handled in China. Production of the gas Cooper will be handled at the BMW Group plant in Oxford, England, where the current model is built.
2025 Mini Cooper EV prototype
With the presence of a dedicated EV platform, the Mini will offer even more electric options. It’s expected that there will be a repeat of the current Cooper SE option, as well as a new base Cooper E option. Mini also hints at the high-performance John Cooper Works EV.
The Gas Cooper will be more of a heavy update of the outgoing Hardtop than a true redesign, which is reflected in the spy shots. This makes sense as Mini plans to go the full electric route later this decade, and has even locked in 2025 as the launch date of its last gas model.
Mini Cooper 2025 spy shots – Photo credit: Baldauf
While the exterior design won’t change much, the interior is expected to adopt a new design that will be shared with the electric Cooper. Look for the signature round element in the center stack, though now with circular sails spanning the entire section.
Underlying the Cooper petrol will be the BMW Group’s FAAR platform for front-wheel drive cars. This is an evolution of the UKL platform that powers the current Mini range, meaning plug-in hybrid power will be possible, although it’s not confirmed yet.
Mini Cooper 2025 spy shots – Photo credit: Baldauf
The coming years will be busy for Mini as the brand updates its lineup and adds new model lines. The redesigned Countryman is slated for the 2025 model year, and will also offer gas and electric options. A new Countryman will also be built in Germany, a first for the Mini. The current model is made in the Netherlands.
It’s also hoped that for the 2025 model year there will be a smaller electric crossover than the Countryman. It will replace the Clubman that comes out after the 2024 model year. Its design was previewed by last year’s Aceman concept, whose name the production model is expected to share.
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