The next Mini Cooper is already being sketched with one eye on the past and the other on a big mechanical shake-up. Mini’s design boss has confirmed early work on a new Cooper that borrows heavily from the 2001 R50’s stance and proportions, while BMW engineers weigh a switch to a rear-wheel-drive Gen6 electric platform.
That would be a major break from today’s front-drive Minis, especially for US buyers looking at small EVs that still feel playful rather than anonymous. The twist is that nothing is signed off yet, so the car you might be eyeing for your next daily is still some way off, and what’s on sale now remains front-wheel drive.
