Spyshots: 2013 MINI Cooper Winter Testing

Here’s why we think MINI desperately needs the new Cooper: the first generation was cool enough, with its retro looks and compact platform, but soon after it was launched, the 1.6-liter compressor engine was being left behind by more powerful 2.0-liter competitors. And so BMW decided to introduce a the second generation, which has a 1.6-liter turbo that was more powerful, but also a simper bonnet that was cheaper to make. Yet the Mk II was never as good looking because safety regulations forced upon it a higher bonnet line, which transformed it into an ugly ducking if you didn’t speck it up fully to hide the horror.

Now though, BMW is rectifying the situation with the third generation that’s wider and longer to compensate for the raised bonnet. We like the idea and get why the Cooper had to grow up into a regular car size. However, for a while now we though that MINI was filling the gap with a Fiat 500-sized car, yet the Rocketman is likely going to be dropped due to the high production costs.

These are the first spy photos we bring you of the 2013 Cooper in the show, as it undergoes winter testing in Sweden. Though its heavily covered with swirly camouflage, we can make out the smaller grille and smaller and slightly curved A pillar.

What we don’t like is that BMW is rumored to drop a new three-cylinder engine to replace the base 1.6L. They would have been far better off with a four-pot that makes 150 hp, since this is what Citroen wisely offers in the DS3. A power boost is better than an economy increase in the premium segment!

❐ Check out the 2013 MINI Cooper Spyshots photo gallery