The next-generation Mini Cooper is expected to undergo a radical change, potentially shifting from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive for the first time in its nearly 70-year history.
According to a report from Autocar, the new Cooper will likely use BMW's Gen6 platform, which is already used in the electric i3 and iX3.
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Crucially, this platform does not support front-wheel drive layouts.
Mini has not officially confirmed the switch, but BMW engineers have indicated there are no plans to develop a front-wheel drive version of the Gen6 platform.
This makes rear-wheel drive the most probable path for the electric Cooper.
The petrol-powered Cooper, however, may continue with front-wheel drive through the 2030s, as it uses a different architecture.
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Design Inspiration from the Past
Mini design chief Holger Hampf told Autocar that the next-gen Cooper could draw inspiration from the R50 generation, the first model built under BMW ownership.
Hampf noted that many people remember the BMW-era Minis more than the classic original, and he wants to connect to that past in a modern way, without becoming vintage.
He emphasized clever use of space, smile-creating surprises, and a certain Britishness in the design.
Mini is also debating the size of the new model, but Hampf suggested that at least a three-door version will remain available.
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The current Cooper was launched in 2024, and a facelift is still at least two years away. The next-generation model is not expected until the next decade.
