New 2024 Mini Cooper will be available with petrol and electric power from the outset, and feature bold looks inside and out – here's everything we know so far...
- New Mini Cooper design
- New Mini Cooper engine range
- New Mini Cooper interior and tech
- New Mini Cooper price
- Your new Mini Cooper questions answered
On sale May 2024 | Price from £28,000 (est)
Like Nike trainers and Levi’s jeans, the Mini Cooper name has been around for a very long time – but just like those products, it’s also reinvented itself several times to stay current. In 2024, a big reinvention is needed, because competition in the small car market has never been hotter – and that’s exactly what the all-new Mini Cooper is getting. Indeed, the Mini is also getting a new name – where previously Cooper was a trim level, now it forms part of the car’s full name.
In this preview, we’ll take you through the new Mini’s design, its engines and power options, its interior and, crucially, how much it will cost you. We’ll also answer your commonly-asked questions around the new model.
New Mini Cooper design
Although not yet officially revealed, the design of the new Mini Cooper has been seen thanks to an uncamouflaged car which was spotted in the US earlier this year.
Sporting a dramatically different look to the outgoing Mini hatchback, the new Mini Cooper features a closed-off front grille, thin LED daytime running lights and larger alloy wheels. At the rear, triangular LED lights sit either side of a black trim strip which has the Cooper name spelt out across it, just below the Mini badge.
From these images we can see that the new Mini’s wheels have been pushed further into the corners of the car, hopefully resulting in improved space inside for passengers and luggage.
What won’t change much are the Mini’s proportions – an overall length close to 3800mm, which is actually slightly shorter than today’s car, places it firmly within the small car class, and against rival cars including the Fiat 500, Honda Jazz, Peugeot e-208 and Volkswagen Polo. The Honda Jazz is our current favourite small car.
Another change for the new Mini Cooper will be its availability in three-door form only, with the current five-door Mini hatchback not being directly replaced. That’s because Mini will hope that buyers wanting more practicality will instead look at the upcoming Mini Aceman electric SUV, due on sale later in 2024 and costing from around £35,000.
For those wanting to mix the new Mini Cooper’s looks with wind-in-your-hair thrills, a new Mini Convertible is due to arrive in 2025.
New Mini Cooper engine range
Unlike today’s Mini hatchback, the new Mini Cooper will be available with petrol and electric power from the outset – and that means today’s standalone Mini Electric will be discontinued after the new Mini Cooper goes on sale.
While technical details have yet to be confirmed, it’s expected that the entry-level electric Mini Cooper – badged Mini Cooper E – will be capable of at least matching the current Mini Electric’s performance. That means a motor with at least 181bhp, a 0-62mph sprint time of around 7.0sec, and an official range of more than 145 miles. Indeed, thanks to a larger 40kWh battery, the electric Mini Cooper should be capable of around 185 miles between chargers. That’s more than the Fiat 500 can manage, but other small electric cars such as the Peugeot e-208 can go further still.
Mid-range versions – badged as the Mini Cooper SE – will have power boosted to 215bhp and will feature a larger 54kWh battery, increasing the official range to around 240 miles. Range-topping John Cooper Works models will have around 250bhp, shortening the 0-62mph sprint time at the expense of range.
There’s no word yet on charging times, but the current Mini Electric can achieve a 10-80% top-up in around half an hour using a 50kW charging point.
If you’d rather stick with petrol power, then you’ll be able to choose from heavily updated versions of the 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines which feature in today’s Mini hatchback. The 134bhp 1.5-litre engine is our pick of the range in the current Mini, offering strong performance throughout the rev range while also keeping your running costs in check – it returned upwards of 43mpg in our hands. There will not be any diesel-engined version of the new Mini.
Petrol-engined versions of the new Mini Cooper will be built in the UK, with electric versions imported from China.
New Mini Cooper interior and tech
While we’re yet to see inside the new Mini Cooper, we do know it will be inspired by the Mini Strip concept from 2021 (pictured above) with a focus on minimalism and sustainability.
The dashboard will be dominated by a new circular touchscreen infotainment system – replacing the rectangular system and rounded LED light strip of today’s car. Unlike today’s car however, and in a potentially backwards step for usability, this touchscreen will control almost all of the car’s functions, including the climate control system. The only physical buttons are likely to be below this, allowing drivers to toggle the car’s driving modes, as well as the ignition and gear selector.
Elsewhere, the digital dials of today’s Mini will be replaced by a smaller digital screen showing essential driving information, with more detail presented on a large head-up display projected onto the windscreen.
Like the current Mini hatchback, the new Mini Cooper is expected to be a four-seater, but although space inside will be increased, don’t expect tall adults to be overly comfortable in the rear seats over long journeys.
Boot space, too, should be more than the 211 litres offered in the current Mini hatchback, meaning your weekly shop shouldn’t pose any trouble. You’ll likely be able to split and fold the rear seats if you need more space.
New Mini Cooper price
The new Mini is expected to cost from around £28,000 if you opt for a petrol engine – that’s more than most small car rivals, and even more than some larger family cars like the Volkswagen Golf.
If you want electric power, the price will rise to around £33,000 – some way above the Fiat 500 electric, which is priced from £28,195.
Your new Mini Cooper questions answered
What are the changes to the 2024 Mini Cooper?
The biggest changes to the new Mini Cooper are its design, its power options and its interior. It will look far sleeker and more aerodynamic than today’s car, and will be available in two electrically powered forms from the outset, badged as the Mini Cooper E and Mini Cooper SE respectively. Inside, it will feature a minimalist layout with very few buttons, with most functions instead being controlled by a central touchscreen.
What colours will the new Mini Cooper be offered in?
Mini traditionally offers a range of vibrant colours for its cars, and we’d expect that to continue with the new Mini Cooper. Pictures of the car have shown it in a bright blue colour, while Mini’s colour options for the current hatchback include Chili Red, Rooftop Grey, British Racing Green and Zesty Yellow.
What other new Mini models are coming?
Joining the new Mini Cooper in 2024 will be the Mini Aceman, an electric small SUV. Later in 2024 there will be a new version of the larger Mini Countryman SUV, which will also transition to be fully electric. Then, in 2025, a new version of the Mini Convertible will join the line-up.
When can I order a 2024 Mini Cooper?
While the new Mini Cooper won’t arrive in UK dealerships until May 2024, order books for the new car will open much sooner – likely when the car is officially revealed towards the end of this year. At that time, potential buyers will be able to register their interest and order the new model for delivery in 2024.
Is the Mini Cooper being discontinued?
Three-door versions of the Mini Cooper are not being discontinued, but five-door versions are. That’s because buyers looking for a five-door Mini will instead be encouraged to look at the larger Mini Aceman electric SUV.
Keyword: 2024 Mini Cooper previewed