The 2023 MINI Cooper S electric was spied in China
It might be due only by 2023, but the production-ready MINI Cooper S electric has been spied completely undisguised already.
These images were taken in China and show the electric vehicle (EV) sitting next to at least 2 other development mules that are completely camouflaged.
Do note that it was only in November that the BMW-owned British brand revealed the official teaser images of the next-generation 3-door MINI for the world to see.
The front end of the recently spied 2023 MINI Cooper S electric looks identical to the model in the official teaser images released by the carmaker.
Of course, there is no scoop on the bonnet, but the shape of the bonnet, the headlights, the stretched octagon grille with smaller intakes and a small front splitter are all identical.
Along the sides, the 2023 MINI Cooper S electric has flush door handles, blacked pillars and mirror caps, while on top, it also features a sunroof.
At the back, the car brand has given the new MINI a sharper set of tail lights connected by a blacked bar from which a rear-view camera juts out.
Also, there is a small roof spoiler, a bumper with air vents, parking sensors (the car has sensors and a camera up front too) and noticeable by their absence are the twin central tailpipes.
Of course, that is not the only clue that lets out the fact that this is an electric MINI, since the “S” in the Cooper S moniker has been painted in green, letting people know that this model runs on energy stored inside a battery pack.
Inside, the recently spied 2023 MINI Cooper S electric had no traditional instrument cluster for the driver. Instead, there was a prominent head-up display which should provide all the information to the one steering the vehicle.
Furthermore, the central touchscreen has very much grown in size and hopefully, most of the surface will be usable this time around. One can also see the contrast stitching on the seat, a central front armrest, minimalist door card and switchgear beneath the central display.
Although the electric model of the upcoming fourth-generation MINI has been spied in 3-door form, a 5-door model is expected and so is a convertible, but only by 2025.
The petrol model is also expected to arrive in 2023 and customers will also have the option of purchasing a sporty John Cooper Works variant too.
This will likely be the last generation where the MINI will be available in both petrol-powered and electric versions as the brand aims to go fully electric by 2030.
