MINI Cooper 5-door hatchback found testing: Expected design, features
What's the story
MINI's Cooper 5-Door hatchback, set to be the last generation with a combustion engine, has been spotted in recent spy shots.
MINI plans to go fully electric by the end of this decade, but this version of the car will still feature a petrol engine.
The test vehicle's camouflage is starting to come off, hinting at its production-ready design.
Details
Exterior design and interior changes
The exterior of the 5-Door model will resemble the 3-Door version, with the addition of an extra pair of doors and modifications to the greenhouse.
Inside, expect a major overhaul, including a simplified dashboard, no instrument cluster, a head-up display, and a central 9.4-inch OLED circular screen for accessing most functions.
Both 3-Door and 5-Door hatchbacks will be available with internal combustion engines, but only the former will have a variant with a fully electric drivetrain.
What Next?
Production plans and future models
The production of electric MINI vehicles has moved to China under a joint venture between BMW and Great Wall Motor called Spotlight Automotive.
This arrangement will last until 2026 when MINI's Oxford plant will also begin production.
A subcompact crossover called Aceman offered exclusively as an EV, will be made alongside the zero-emission hatchback in China and start rolling off the assembly line in Oxford in 2026.