Next-gen Mini Cooper SE caught undisguised

Well not quite everyone wants big displays. In 2021, the lower trims had a 6.5” display and only the top trim had the 8.8” display. I’m very glad my mid-level sig+ has the smaller display. I’d rather have the 6.5” than the 8.8”. Less to draw your eyes away from the road.

I do appreciate the screen for accessing CarPlay but frankly most of the time it displays a large analog clock for me and that’s it.


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I don’t think those are the seats as all the pictures show a integrated non adjustable headrest.

 

Not the one in this article?

https://www.motoringfile.com/2023/07/19/2024-mini-cooper-electric-interior-previewed/

 

The biggest concern I have with the interior is fabric on the door panels. That just doesn't sound very durable; I'm concerned how it will look after 5 years of rubbing against my arm.

And what's with the tiny arm rest? First they take away the secret compartment in the dash above the glovebox, now they take away the armrest storage?

Apart from that, I do appreciate the design connection to the original. And as long as they make better use of the HUD than they do today, I'm sure the lack of a gauge cluster behind the steering wheel won't be that big a deal. In general, I feel MINI has earned my trust that they'll make good decisions on the driving experience.

 

There are a ton of fresh news articles about this (Mini News), but the best one is the YouTube from MotoringFile. The photos of the dash are easier to decipher.

 

The seat shown in the car doesn’t look like any of them but does have the integrated armrest which is supposedly a standard feature of the new seats. The seat in the article is the same one on the far right , but I doubt the others are se seats. Where was that picture posted?

 

MotoringFile have dropped a new video about the digital experience for next-gen MINIs:

 

from those videos the car has 280 km range left with 75% battery. so that's a 370 km range (230 miles)

 

So you could have someone take a picture from the back seat while you were driving that emphasized both the view ahead and the center* screen, then upload that as your personal image. You would then have the mirror-facing-a-mirror-facing-a-mirror....effect. That would be interesting!

*I guess that's redundant now, as it's the only screen!

 

I like the new interior more than the new exterior, but that fold down armrest is a mistake. The only cars I've ever driven with those style armrests are cheap econoboxes and that's not a flattering comparison for a car that pitches itself as a luxury brand. And no armrest for the passenger who is more likely to use an armrest? Come on.

 

Just like the luster-less Tesla Model 3, I don't get a luxury vibe from what I've seen of the J01. In contrast, my Iconic SE is the most luxurious car I've ever owned.

 

If I wanted luxury I would just get a Buick GL8 Century and have someone chauffeur me around when I have the indignity of being on the land. Otherwise I'd rather be on my $50m+ superyacht. /s

 

Cars have become so good now that the problem is has become what is luxury? Outdated ideas still have many thinking that leather seats and power windows are luxury items. Much like I don’t consider a model 3 a luxury car because even now the price point in will within avg pricing. Once you start getting into let’s say that optioned 5er or S class we can start talking about “luxury”

I’d rank Tesla on par with Mazda in terms of “luxury”. Mazda has always been well ahead of its competitors in the build quality class

 

I’ve had numerous Mercedes, BMWs. All a few years old but not old enough to be considered classic. W211s are still ranked high on my list. I’d expect Mini to be a bit more classy as it comes from BMW but then again in Europe you can still get cloth seats in BMWs and Mini. Hell when I ordered the Mini the leather seats were a free “upgrade” aka you better take them. I’d have preferred the cloth seats

 

When I bought my SE in 2021, I had to pay extra for leather seats. Cloth was still standard in the entry- and mid- level trims.


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