Next-gen Mini Cooper SE caught undisguised

That's why I said cubic space was an inadequate measurement for dog fit. If the front-to-back interior length is shorter but the floor-to-roof is bigger it could be more volume but less dog comfort space.

 

It looks to me like the J01's windshield is further forward than the F56's windshield. If the seats are also closer to the front of the car, then there will be more dog-space.

 

I was about to say that the hood appears shorter, and the packaging of the drive unit likely allows that

 

... but since the windshield is laid back more, the leading edge of the roof could be in the same place, and then if you assume that the driver's seat is in roughly the same place relative to the roof, then...

Guess we will all have to wait and see. (However, I did just tell my wife that I need to start putting money aside for when I swap my 2023 for a 2028 JCW...E?)

 

I've gone over the images several times, and I can't help but feel like the new one has its nose cut off, while the current one has a ring around it, enhancing it. Perhaps the transition from the hood to the nose? Could be the images however, or perhaps it's just me.

 

The clamshell bonnet is gone for more front bumper crash and safety. BMW made the change back in 2008 for the F01 7 Series and people were upset!

 

Two cents:

• I think the front end still honors the Mini SE heritage enough, although it looks like it has bangs without the clamshell
• I think the side looks a bit plain
• I'm not a fan of the taillights, although the rest of the back end screams MINI!
• I worry about the unconfirmed interior styling going away from Mini circular theme

 

If the toggles go away I will be waiting for the eGolf

 

The 2021 Twitter photos showed at least one big circle besides the steering wheel:

 

What makes you think VW's ID.2all will have toggles? Here's the ID.3's dash:


You'll probably never see the eGolf replacement one on this continent--they'd have to make it here for it to be affordable and they're too busy making ID.4s for the crossover-besotten Americans.

 

Circling back to the Dec 10, 2021 leak by MotoringFile the design is very similar but there was no moonroof on the most recent spy shot in LA.

 

I don’t need toggles in a Golf! I appreciate VWs’ businesslike, pragmatic design. Having owned several, if a future eGolf maintains the VW character, that’s all I need.

 

And toggles.

 

Schaefer said the 2all isn’t likely to come to North America. I haven’t heard similar for the next eGolf due some time in 2027 or beyond.

 

Moonroofs in only 2 out of 4 of those prototypes as well.

Extra cost option? Only in the JCWE?

ETA: the most-used toggles in my SE are 1) the "ignition" (really? did nobody think to fix that while adapting the ICE F56?) and 2) the moonroof. So far the rest are really only there for show (and/or to show off to passengers by switching to Sport mode and hitting the accelerator...yeah, it doesn't change how quickly the car will accelerate, but THEY don't know that).

 

Maybe. What I am more interested in is if they implement the shy tech of BMW Vision iNEXT and Vision Next 100.

The dashboard looks like it's woven jacquard so there could be a touch interface underneath.

 

Last December, Green Car Reports suggested a 2026 return for the eGolf, but then the ID.2all appeared, which is not much smaller than a Golf. Would VW make both?

 

There’s also been some interior spy shots of the Countryman, and it looks like very similar design language. That big shroud around the central display is supposedly not part of the design (so it’ll be more like what’s shown in the photo you shared), but you can see the (fewer number of) toggles and “retro” turn-key start/stop (ewww).


From here:
https://www.motoringfile.com/2023/03/27/the-u25-2025-electric-mini-countryman-range-performance-revealed/

 

If you paint the wheel arches on an F56 or even an older Mini, it really makes it look like the new version.

 

I've always hated the painted wheel arch look.