Introducing the all-new Minis: The Mini Cooper S and the Mini Countryman S

Yes, the spy shots have been correct and yes, I’ve seen these in the metal a couple of months back. This is, the brand new Mini Cooper and Mini Countryman in their most dramatic design revision yet. Adding on to that, the name Cooper will no longer be a model range variant and will instead, be the nomenclature for all Mini hatchbacks.









Paired back, cleaner and in the case of the Mini Cooper, even slightly smaller than the car(s) it replaces, the new Mini Cooper in the vein of the original Mini now features clean, simple flowing lines over fussy details.







Gone are the vents on the front bumper, the non-vents along the flanks and rear bumper, the cladded wheel arches and to further push this clean design ethos further, even our favourite power buldge and bonnet vent has been removed.







Gone too, are the old door handles in favour of the flushed units we’ve seen on recent BMWs. While the front remains ever so familiar even with these new design revisions, it is around the back were some of the biggest changes have been made with a totally redesigned rear light cluster that once again, pairs back the details with a clean, singular unionjack-esque design that also allows drivers to choose from 3 different graphical layouts for the rear lights.







Keeping it clean wasn’t just a design exercise either, because all new Minis will now be fully electric first with hybrid drivetrains coming later.







While the exterior design does take some getting used to after the many extravagent “editions” we’ve seen on the previous model, this new approach to its exterior does feel fresh and gives designers a clean slate to play with when it comes to introducing more cheeky models in the future.





Inside, though, is where the real magic of the new Minis happen. While the interior designers have also taken inspiration from the original Mini when it comes to the instrument layout and placement, the mood inside is nothing short of futuristic with a beautiful rounded center display specially created for Mini. This is the heartbeat of the interior, showcasing driving, climate and infotainment related readouts and controls in one of the most beautiful UIs ever penned for an automobile. It even has a mascot, Spike!













The digital display isn’t the only showstopper for the interior because everything inside has been carefully designed around the playful nature of the brand. From choice of materials to even projection lighting effects that change according to driving modes (they call it “Experiences”), the interior is a beautiful blend of clean time-tested design principles executed with the latest in high-tech gadgetry, representing a major step on from its predecessor. You have to see it to believe it









For those wondering, yes, the physical toggles have been retained with switches for powering up, gear seletion, driving modes (excuse me, I meant, experiences) as well as audio conrols. Unfortunately climate controls have been shifted into the touchscreen but we’ll reserve judgement until we get some time behind the wheel.





While the Mini Cooper has “gone back to basics” when it comes to the aesthetics, the Countryman has instead, forged an alternative path. It is now bigger with stronger lines, bolder chunkier shapes and tougher surfaces. While the family DNA is still there, it now has a much more unique visual identify to set itself apart from its Cooper siblings.









Visually, apart from its size, the most prominent new design feature is the extended roof panel, graphically holding onto the windows like a surfboard from the side. I also find it slightly reminiscent of Mini’s playful baseball cap roofline from the Mini Coupe.









Just like the Cooper, the Countryman also has had a full redesign for the rear with a customisable graphics for the rear lights.





And just like the Cooper, the Countryman will be launched as a full EV with hybrid drivetrains to follow.















Inside, the extended outer dimensions now mean an even roomier cabin. As we’ve seen in the Cooper, the interior aesthetic has been pared back, utilizing beautiful material choices and lighting effects to enhance the atmosphere.













Are you as excited as we are for the future of Mini?