Next-Generation Mini Cooper Electric May Shift to Rear-Wheel Drive
· Automobile · Car and Driver, TechCrunch
The next-generation Mini Cooper Electric is expected to transition from a front-wheel-drive layout to a rear-wheel-drive configuration. According to reports, the vehicle will be built on BMW’s Gen6 platform, which is currently used for the Neue Klasse i3 and iX3 models. This platform architecture is designed for rear-wheel drive and does not support front-wheel-drive systems. The shift could potentially increase the electric vehicle's power output beyond the current 215 horsepower maximum. While the brand aims to maintain the Cooper’s signature design and proportions, the combustion-engine version may also adopt a rear-drive base by 2028.
Why it matters
This shift represents a significant departure from the brand's long-standing front-wheel-drive tradition, signaling a move toward performance-oriented rear-drive architectures for future Mini models.
Read the original report — Car and Driver
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