Petrol-powered Mini due for final facelift, no new platform coming

Mini’s swansong petrol-powered hatches will be given a nip and tuck before they're put out to pasture – but not a complete platform switch that was expected for a final generation.

While the new electric Mini Cooper E and Cooper SE embark on pure electric power with a completely new architecture, the F55 and F56 generation Minis will not be given a comprehensive overhaul, settling instead for an end-of-life facelift.

It’s now known that petrol-powered Minis will be resculpted to appear almost identical to the electric version that rolled out in Munich this month, but the new look will be achieved through a reskin and interior overhaul of the existing model – despite new model designations of F66 and F65.

When asked if the facelifted Mini would continue to roll on a platform different to the new Cooper, Mini head of design Oliver Heilmer responded “Yes, exactly. That’s the point.”

“There is a combustion platform with different areas, and there is a tunnel for the exhaust pipe, so obviously this area will be different. But from a design approach, we say there is no difference.”

That suggests the combustion-powered Mini three- and five-door models will retain their UKL platform (introduced in 2014), rather than adopt a new architecture from another series in the BMW Group family. And, with Mini’s all-electric line-up looming in 2030, it’ll most likely be the last.

5

Heilmer confirmed the company would essentially produce two completely different B-segment cars that look the same, but have radically different drivetrains.

Despite the continuation of the longstanding Mini underpinnings, an update will bring the petrol-powered Mini aesthetics into line with the electrified range.

"Yes. It might be different to the electric-based model, but they’re both the same in terms of what we wanted to achieved," Heilmer said.

5

“Designers would be able to pick the differences, but a ‘normal’ human wouldn’t be able to realise on the first glance.”

Beyond the small proportional differences, Heilmer said the pair of mechanically different Minis would share much if not all of the defining features, such as the range of new sustainable materials, new circular central touchscreen, and design touches inside and out.

“In terms of design, it’s the same design,” he said.

“You’ll find the knitted fabrics, tight steering wheel, all of these elements – you’re going to find them [in both the petrol and electric versions], but the proportions will be different.”

5

With a large portion of Mini’s existing customer base drawn to the models through their retro design and a long lineage of traditional Minis, another collective insists on something modern and contemporary.

This, said Heilmer, is one of the hardest challenges but both electric and combustion Minis needed to evolve gradually in unison to preserve the band’s integrity, regardless of the audience.

“Imagine if you did something outstanding for the electrified version and then you do something entirely different for the combustion engine, no one would understand it," he said.

5

“All brands that have a strong heritage – as soon as you change something, it leads to insecurity for some of our customers. As a designer you want to jump ahead, but what if we did exactly the same as the past?

“First of all, it doesn’t feel good and, secondly, even worse, you might die with the remaining customers. When you’re afraid to change something, it’s the worst thing that can happen."