Mini is getting ready the fourth technology of its trendy lineup, and among the many first members to reach will likely be a redesigned Hardtop, a prototype for which has been noticed.

The automobile will debut late this yr or early subsequent, as a 2025 mannequin, and Mini will revert to calling it a Cooper. At present, Cooper is the title of the Hardtop’s base grade.

There will likely be each fuel and electrical variations. The prototype we noticed is for the fuel model. A prototype for the electrical model is proven within the teaser shot beneath.

This time round, the electrical Cooper will likely be based mostly on a devoted electrical automobile platform developed by BMW Group and Nice Wall Motors in a Chinese language three way partnership often called Highlight, and manufacturing of the electrical model will likely be dealt with in China. Manufacturing of the fuel Cooper will likely be dealt with at BMW Group’s plant in Oxford, U.Ok., the place the present mannequin is constructed.

With the arrival of the devoted EV platform, Mini will provide extra electrical choices. There may be anticipated to be a repeat of the present Cooper SE possibility, in addition to a brand new Cooper E base possibility. Mini has additionally hinted at a high-performance John Cooper Works EV.

The fuel Cooper will likely be extra of a heavy replace of the outgoing Hardtop than a real redesign, which is mirrored within the spy photographs. This is sensible as Mini plans to go the full-electric route later this decade, and has even locked in 2025 because the date that its ultimate fuel mannequin will likely be launched.

Whereas the outside design will not change a lot, count on the inside to undertake a brand new design that will likely be shared with the electrical Cooper. Search for the signature spherical component within the middle stack, although now with a round display spanning the entire part.

Underpinning the fuel Cooper will likely be BMW Group’s FAAR platform for front-wheel-drive automobiles. It is an evolution of the UKL platform underpinning the present Mini vary, which implies plug-in hybrid energy will likely be doable, although it hasn’t been confirmed.

The approaching years will likely be busy for Mini because the model renews its lineup and provides new mannequin strains. A redesigned Countryman is due for the 2025 mannequin yr, and also will provide each fuel and electrical choices. The brand new Countryman may even be in-built Germany, a primary for a Mini. The present mannequin is constructed within the Netherlands.

Additionally anticipated for the 2025 mannequin yr will likely be an electrical crossover smaller than the Countryman. It’ll fill in for the Clubman which bows out after the 2024 mannequin yr. Its design was previewed by final yr’s Aceman idea, whose title the manufacturing mannequin is anticipated to share.