The next-generation Mini Cooper Electric is poised to make a historic engineering shift by abandoning its traditional front-wheel-drive layout for a rear-wheel-drive configuration. According to reports, this major transition will see the iconic compact car adopt BMW's advanced Gen6 vehicle architecture.
The new platform, which currently underpins BMW's Neue Klasse line including models like the i3 and iX3, is specifically designed with a rear-drive layout in mind. Because the platform's larger drive motors equipped with integrated gearboxes are built solely for the rear axle, future single-motor variants are restricted to this setup.
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Subscribe"We have started to work on the next generation of Mini, and what follows now is a look at the entire portfolio," confirmed new design chief Holger Hampf regarding the sweeping changes ahead for the British brand.
This architectural overhaul is expected to deliver substantial performance benefits, potentially increasing the electric vehicle's power output well beyond the current 215 horsepower maximum. While the mechanical layout is undergoing a massive evolution, design leaders insist that the vehicle's signature proportions, retro character, and distinct style remain non-negotiable.
Preserving Heritage While Embracing Modern EV Platforms
Transitioning to a rear-wheel-drive layout breaks nearly seven decades of front-wheel-drive tradition that began with the original 1959 model. However, company executives maintain that the core driving dynamics and the brand's trademark "go-kart feeling" will be fiercely protected throughout the redesign process.
"Transparent driving pleasure" remains the top priority for the brand as development teams look for optimal packaging solutions across the entire vehicle lineup.
Internal combustion variants of the Cooper may follow a similar trajectory or maintain alternative architectures through the decade, depending on shared platform updates with the BMW 1-Series.
As competitive pressure mounts from a wave of new electric superminis entering the global market, this radical platform shift ensures that Mini stays ahead of the technology curve while honoring its storied design roots.