What Is MINI Testing Under The Body Of Current Hatch?

Just a few days ago, revealing photos of the new generation fully electric MINI Hatch leaked online before its scheduled debut in 2023. While we had previously seen camouflaged prototypes of the EV, our spy photographers have now caught a different prototype/mule of the ICE-powered model looking like it’s wearing an almost identical body with the current generation. If this sounds puzzling to you, keep reading because we possibly have the answers.

MINI has officially confirmed that the new generation of the popular Hatch will be offered in both BEV and ICE-powered variants, stating that “cars with highly efficient petrol and diesel engines will continue to be an ideal solution in future for target groups and regions where the mobility requirements are not met or not yet met with all-electric drivetrains”. At first, we all thought that the company was referring to variants of the same model, but the latest spy pictures and information suggest otherwise.

According to the latest rumors, MINI will keep building the ICE-powered hatch in its Oxford factory based on BMW Group’s FAAR underpinnings which is an evolution of the UKL platform. At the same time, the fully electric model will be built in China riding on a new EV platform developed by BMW and Great Wall Motors and featuring a more radical design evolution of the MINI theme.

The F55/F56 generation of the MINI Hatch was originally unveiled in 2013, receiving a minor facelift in 2018, and a major facelift in 2021. Furthermore, the company has officially announced that its last ICE-powered model will launch in 2025 – before going fully electric in the early 2030s. Adding up everything together makes us believe that MINI will likely update the design of the ICE-powered Hatch instead of opting for a third facelift.

And this leads us to the pictured vehicle which is likely just a mule testing the updated underpinnings (engine/gearbox/suspension etc) and new pieces of the interior. Despite wearing full camouflage wrap, the mule is likely not yet fitted with production body panels or lighting units, hence the similarities with the current model and the Union-Jack LED taillights from 2018.

Having said that, it is possible that the hard points of the new ICE-powered MINI stay at the same place as the current generation, keeping the proportions nearly identical. Look closely and you will notice many differences from the leaked MINI EV besides the headlights/taillights like the clamshell bonnet, longer front overhang, conventional door handles, door-mounted mirrors, less sculpted fenders, and lower rear loading area.

Despite the different platform and body designs, we expect the two models to share some components in terms of interior tech, like the large round touchscreen on the center of the dashboard, and other controls. What will be different is that the lack of an instrument cluster in the EV won’t be copied by the ICE variant which is rumored to keep a screen behind the steering wheel.

In any case, MINI has confirmed that the new generation of the popular Hatch will arrive in 2023 so it won’t be long until we have some answers.