New Mini Cooper hatch due next year with petrol or electric power – report

The new 2024 Mini Cooper hatch is due in European showrooms early next year with a broader choice of petrol or electric power, according to the latest reports out of Europe.

The fourth modern generation of the three-door model – since BMW bought the UK small-car specialist in 1994 – is due to lead a wave of new models from Mini, with a focus on electric power.

UK magazine Autocar reports it will drop the Mini Hatch moniker it officially wears today, in favour of 'Mini Cooper' – though all Mini hatchbacks sold in Australia since 2017 have worn some form of Cooper badges regardless, in their model designations (Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works).

The headline news for the new model – the first in a decade – is that unlike the current model, petrol and electric versions of the three-door Mini Cooper will sit on unrelated underpinnings.

Whereas the new petrol Mini is slated to be a 'reskin' of the current model, the new electric Mini Cooper will use an electric-car chassis co-developed with Chinese car giant Great Wall Motors (GWM) – and built in China.

Autocar reports the new three-door Mini Cooper – due in European showrooms in May 2024 in electric form, and July 2024 with petrol power – will retain the 3.8-metre body length of today's model.

MORE: 2023 Mini Hatch leaked in three-door Electric guise

However it reports it will have wider tracks (distance between the left and right wheels), a shorter front overhang, more space between the front and rear wheels for a roomier cabin, and larger wheels for a sportier stance.

Five-door hatch and two-door convertible body styles will remain available, according to Autocar – but only in petrol form for the time being.

Powering the new Mini Cooper electric car is said to be a choice of two models: the entry-level E, with a 40kWh battery and 135kW electric motor, and the SE, with a 54kWh battery and 160kW motor.

Driving range is said to be rated at 386km in the entry-level Cooper E three-door – a significant uplift from the 233km of today's Mini Cooper SE, with a 32.6kWh battery – though the new range will be dearer than the old model, Autocar says.

Due in mid 2025 – a year after the standard range – is said to be a high-performance John Cooper Works electric model, with the SE's 54kWh battery, and power Autocar estimates at about 185kW.

Electric versions of the new Mini hatch will reportedly have a "soundtrack to accompany acceleration", and are said to feature a newly-developed traction control system said to deliver faster responses.

Meanwhile, the petrol-powered Mini Cooper range will reportedly continue with BMW-designed underpinnings similar to today's model, and will continue to be built in the UK.

MORE: Mini JCW hot hatch tipped to continue in the electric era

Autocar does not give any details on the engines slated for the new petrol-powered Mini Cooper, but says it has been told Mini is "99 per cent sure" the new car will not be available with a manual transmission – after it was dropped from the Australian model range last year.

According to reputable BMW insider and BimmerPost forum user 'ynguldyn', the standard Cooper will use a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder with 115kW, and the Cooper S a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder with 150kW. A John Cooper Works version is also reportedly planned.

Inside petrol and electric Mini Cooper hatchbacks is said to be a mix of physical buttons and switches, and a futuristic circular centre touchscreen which will also serve as the speedometer and instrument display, akin to a Tesla Model 3.

Autocar reports both petrol and electric models will require an "actual ignition key" – in what it says "harks back to BMW Minis of old".

Other highlights are said to include "funky projections on the dashboard" to show time and vehicle speed to passengers.

The UK magazine also reports buyers will continue to be offered a swathe of personalisation options, including the 'Union Jack' British flag roof pattern, as well as "year of the Rabbit" decals for the Chinese market.

Joining the new Mini Cooper hatchback twins in showrooms is due to be a new Countryman, slated for a European launch in February 2024, with a choice of petrol or electric power.

It is due to grow significantly over the outgoing model to target buyers who need more space.

Filling the role of the entry-level Mini 'SUV' is set to be the new Aceman, an electric-only car reportedly due in January 2025 – according to Autocar – as a sibling under the skin to the electric Mini Cooper, sharing its Chinese-developed architecture.

According to Autocar, Mini aims for 50 per cent of its sales to be electric by mid-2025 – before going electric-only in 2030.