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Next-gen Mini Hardtop spy shots show dramatic changes

We've seen the next-generation Mini Hardtop a few times, but under significant amounts of vinyl camouflage. But apparently Mini got careless, and someone snagged photos of a completely undisguised prototype, which were shared by Twitter user Greg Kable. While the front end is a pretty predictable update, the rear end and interior are major departures. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The face will be familiar to anyone who has seen a current Mini. The grille is quite large and composed of a large contrasting frame and a body color filler in the middle, with a couple small openings at the top and bottom. It does appear to be a bit smaller overall compared to the current model, and with a thinner frame. The headlights are still round as ever, but appear a bit larger, and now they feature little lines at the top and bottom that almost look like cute eyelids. Interestingly, the hood no longer has holes cut out for the headlights, and the cut lines are higher up. The profile, as far as we can tell, is still typical Mini. The only real change there is the replacement of the pull handles with flush-fitting units. At the back is where the major exterior changes take place. The lozenge-shaped taillights of the past are gone in favor of angular trapezoidal units. They feature black-lined overlays, and they blend into the black trim piece that stretches across the hatch. The lights appear to be a part of the hatch, too, and will likely swing up with the hatch when opened. The rear fenders look wider than before relative to the greenhouse, giving this new Mini a lower, wider appearance. This particular prototype has an S badge in what looks like a yellow-green color, so we believe this may actually be an SE electric model. Moving to the inside, the new Mini holds on to some classic design cues, but reimagines them with modern technology and a minimalist theme. The dash is dominated by a huge, thin circular display, which evokes past round displays and gauge clusters from classic and more modern Minis. There's no gauge cluster in front of the driver, either, so the center screen will likely feature driving information in addition to other infotainment functions. The driver does at least get a head-up display, so there will still be the ability to have speed and other info directly in front of the driver.

Mini could go even bigger with next Countryman

We recently reported that the new family of Minis could balloon from eight models to ten or more, but it's not only the model line that's expected to grow: so too could the largest model itself. That, of course, would be the Countryman, which is already bigger than anything else ever to wear the Mini badge. But if you think the current Countryman is already big enough, the latest reports suggest that it could get even bigger. Apparently parent company BMW feels a larger Mini crossover would better compete with more mainstream models in the marketplace.
The Countryman, however, will only be one of the new variants to spin off of the new third-generation Mini. Expect the new Hardtop hatchback introduced in LA to be followed by a new Cabriolet, Roadster, and Paceman. A five-door version of the base hatchback will also join in addition to the new Clubman, which is tipped to get a split tailgate instead of the single hinged aperture on the current model. The jury's still out on the Mini Coupe, which has largely failed to impress, while a convertible crossover could be back in the mix along with the rumored plug-in hybrid version.

Mini juices up Convertible with John Cooper Works model

Almost one year ago today, we caught our first and only look at the new Mini John Cooper Works Convertible, courtesy of a set of spy photos. Now, the new hot droptop has arrived, and no surprise, it's basically the same thing as the JCW Hardtop. The new model blends the standard three-door hardtop's 2.0-liter, 228-horsepower, 236-pound-foot, four-cylinder with the folding canvas roof of the new Mini Convertible, which debuted in October of last year. Available with a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic, the three-pedal JCW Convertible will hit 60 in 6.4 seconds while the two-pedal will do the run a tenth of a second faster. The brawnier powertrain is backed up by a standard sport suspension – dynamic damper control is an optional extra – and convertible-specific chassis enhancements, including a new stiffening plate underneath the engine. To bring proceedings to a halt even quicker, Mini attached JCW-specific Brembo brakes. There's also the usual array of interior and exterior enhancements. Outside, there's a sportier body kit, standard, JCW-specific 17-inch wheels (or optional 18s), and standard LED headlamps. We're aching to try out the new JCW sport seats, which feature a fixed headrest and some serious bolstering. They're also rocking a pretty nifty black-and-red color scheme. Mini has paired its latest announcement with a full pricing release for the Cooper, Cooper S, and JCW Convertibles. Adding the softtop kicks up the price $5,000 to $5,500, with the base model starting at $26,800. The S model just barely cracks the $30,000 mark, coming in at $30,450, while the Works model is $36,450. That, friends, is a lot of money, and you'll be putting it down before even dipping into Mini's deep options catalog. Read on for both official press releases from Mini. EXTREME DRIVING FUN, INTENSIVE OPEN-AIR PLEASURE: INTRODUCING THE NEW MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS CONVERTIBLE Woodcliff Lake, NJ – January 14, 2016... When passion for motor racing is the driving force and intense open-air pleasure the goal, the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible takes the ideal line from the word go. The second John Cooper Works model of the latest generation combines engine and suspension technology optimized for use on the race track with distinctive design and equipment features as well as the extensively refined qualities of the new MINI Convertible.