However, that’s all about to change, as the next generation MINI Cooper will be the most dramatic change undertaken by the company since its launch in 2001. In an interview with AutoCar magazine, Adrian van Hooydonk (BMW design chief) stated that the third generation model will end up being a "bigger design leap than the last one."
That’s not saying much, seeing as the current generation and the previous one look almost identical from some angles. Still, Hooydonk says his team will start from a blank piece of paper for the model to deliver o more contemporary design. The company is reportedly already working on a new interior design that could see the highly-stylized, but equally criticized, central speedometer. According to AutoCar, the design boss was seen examining the new interior of the Hyundai Veloster at the Detroit motor show.
The model should still appeal to a large correction of the market, as the Mk3 MINI will still be the brand’s core product. "We have to balance that against the fact that it is the brand’s core model, like the 3, 5 and 7-series rolled into one,” he added.
An even larger change could take place under the standard Cooper’s bonnet, where a a 3-cylinder turbocharged unit rumored to replace the old 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated unit. Diesel versions could also play a big role in future sales, with the upcoming Cooper SD to give a clear indication of customer demand.
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