Mini is launching an all-new generation of its famous Cooper hatchback, and this time it's starting with the 2024 Cooper Electric. Although a gasoline-powered Cooper will remain part of the equation, the brand is flexing its EV muscle by debuting the electric variant first. The new Cooper Electric wears a chic new wardrobe that manages to look modern and vintage, incorporating elements of Mini history in its design. Under the hood will be a single electric motor driving the front wheels, just like the outgoing electric Mini, but this time it comes with a larger battery and a longer driving range. Two different versions will be offered globally: the 184-hp Cooper E and the 218-hp Cooper SE. However, it's unclear whether both will come to our shores. Mini has also drawn inspiration from its past to redesign the car's interior. A large circular infotainment display sits in the middle of the dashboard, and the cabin design looks distinctive.
Entry-level Cooper E models are powered by a 181-hp electric motor, while SE models come with a more powerful one making 215 horsepower. We tested a prototype of the latter and were thrilled by its energetic handling and punchy acceleration. Mini hasn't confirmed whether both models will make their way stateside, so if only one is chosen, we suspect (and hope) it will be the more powerful SE. Mini says the SE will be capable of hitting 62 mph in 6.7 seconds. An even more powerful dual-motor all-wheel drive version wearing the All4 badge could join the lineup later with 313 horsepower. A John Cooper Works trim will be offered in Europe, but Mini hasn't confirmed it for the U.S. market. The JCW trim amounts to little more than an appearance package with no additional horsepower or suspension tweaks, so our instincts say it won't make the trip across the Atlantic.
This time around, Mini has chosen higher-quality interior materials and has simplified the Cooper's interior design. Inspired by the 1959 original, Mini designers went for a pared-back feel inside, but there are still plenty of modern conveniences baked into the design. A series of LEDs are hidden behind the textile dash pad and illuminate upon start-up; these ambient lights also change color based on drive mode and infotainment theme. A row of toggle switches-a Mini must-have-provides access to frequently used controls, and the panel features a more contemporary look than the one featured in the outgoing model. Although the new Cooper is roughly the same size as the old one, the cabin feels more spacious and certainly seems airier inside.
The UK-produced, internal combustion engined (ICE) version of the Cooper is extended into the fourth-generation. Developed under the model code F66 (3-door), the car debuted online in 6 February 2024.[81] It heavily based on the previous generation model, while introducing updated styling with similar design elements from the battery electric J01 Cooper.[82][83]
The F66 Cooper is available in two trims, namely the Cooper C and Cooper S. The Cooper C uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 156 PS (154 hp; 115 kW) of power and 230 N⋅m (23.5 kg⋅m; 170 lb⋅ft) of torque. The Cooper S uses a more powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 204 PS (201 hp; 150 kW) of power and 300 N⋅m (30.6 kg⋅m; 221 lb⋅ft) of torque. Both engines are paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission