New Mini Cooper

The new Mini Cooper is seen in final production design ahead of its introduction in 2024. Image: Mini

New Mini Cooper: First official images emerge of 350-kilometre electrically-powered hatchback

Images of the new electric-powered Mini Cooper have emerged ahead of its world debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in China later in April.

New Mini Cooper

The new Mini Cooper is seen in final production design ahead of its introduction in 2024. Image: Mini

These are the first images of the new Mini Cooper, in EV form, ahead of its debut at the Shanghai motor show later in April.

The fourth-generation Mini Cooper has been shown to the public ahead of schedule after spy shots, taken in Los Angeles, of the new hatch emerged online last week, according to Road and Track.

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THE SECOND ELECTRICALLY-POWERED NEW MINI COOPER WILL GO ON SALE IN 2024

According to Autocar, the second-generation electric Mini will be manufactured in China. It sits on a front-wheel-drive platform by a company spawned from Mini’s owners, BMW, and Great Wall Motors.

Back to the juicy stuff. The design of the new car remains unmistakably Mini, with round-shaped headlights. At the rear Mini has opted to incorporate the Union Jack flag motif to the triangular-shaped lights.

One big departure on the new design are the plastic fender flares. On the tech front, expect driver-assistance systems and a touchscreen to navigate through the car’s internal systems, Forbes reports.

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The design of the new Mini Cooper incorporates core styling elements we’ve seen on previous generations, such as the round-shaped headlights. Image: Mini

THE MINI BRAND WILL ONLY OFFER FULLY ELECTRIC-POWERED MODELS FROM 2030

Under the skin, this electric model is set to 40kWh battery for a claimed range of 385km. Power output for the new Mini Cooper is base spec is 135kW.

A more powerful Cooper SE model will feature a 54kWh battery should produce a claimed range of more 480km.

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Introduction of the new Mini Cooper to South Africa has not been confirmed at the time of publication.

MINI POSTED STRONG SALES FIGURES FOR THE FIRST PART OF 2023

According to BMW Pressclub, premium automotive brand MINI sold 68,541 units (-9.2%) in the first three months of the year.

Demand for the fully-electric Mini Cooper SE also remains high. With the rollout of the direct sales model, using agents as sales representatives, in China in March 2023 and a strong order book, the Mini brand is looking forward with confidence to the second quarter.

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The company expects positive momentum from the sales launch of the first fully-electric Mini Cooper SE Convertible.

The new Mini family started the year by presenting two fully-electric MINI models and continues to prepare for full electrification of the brand by 2030.