The new MINI 3-door on snow and ice.
Auto & EVAuto Tech

The new MINI 3-door on snow and ice.

Fully electric and packed with driving fun: 

The fifth model generation also kicks off with the MINI 3-door. The new edition of the original is now undergoing its driving dynamics tests in the winter landscapes of Lapland.

All new Mini rocketing on snow.

All new Mini rocketing on snow.

The fully electric edition of the new MINI 3-Door hatch is now completing a significant chapter in its series development process as it undergoes driving dynamics tests on the snow and ice at the BMW Group’sGroup’s winter test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden.

With its high-voltage battery, power electronics and charging technology of the new MINI prototypes, the electric drivetrain is already demonstrating its high degree of maturity at extreme temperatures below freezing.

Snow-covered roads and specially prepared areas on frozen lakes serve as ideal test tracks, and the test engineers can precisely tune the spontaneous power development of the electric motor, the control systems for optimizing traction, cornering behaviour, suspension and damping characteristics as well as the character of the steering and braking system. The integrated application of all drive and chassis systems enables a mature degree of overall harmony, which helps the production model deliver the perfect balance of MINI go-kart feeling and driving comfort.

MINI is launching its fifth generation with the MINI 3-Door Hatch as the first model of the new MINI family. With its vehicle concept geared towards complete electrification, it is ideally suited to deliver hallmark MINI handling and creative use of space with plenty of room inside and a small footprint on the tarmac. It will be revealed in late 2023 and will be available with an internal combustion engine option as well.

The future core portfolio of all-electric powered vehicles will include the MINI 3-Door Hatch, a new crossover in the small-car segment and the next generation MINI Countryman in the compact SUV segment. MINI is also developing concepts for the John Cooper Works models with an electric drivetrain.

This year, MINI will reveal its concept of the new all-electric crossover. The next-generation MINI Countryman will be revealed in 2023, which will again be available with an internal combustion engine option.

The iconic MINI 3-door consistently continues the concept of urban driving fun that has been successful for more than 60 years. All this shall be implemented even more puristically and sustainably in the future. 

It becomes evident in the design of the classic body variant. Electrification allows designers to think fundamentally differently and creates new starting points for the hallmark MINI combination of individual style, attention to detail, a sense of tradition and a passion for innovation. The design of the new MINI harks back to its unique history, uses the latest technology and creates a maximum of emotions combined with a minimal footprint.

All the driving characteristics of the new MINI 3-door can be optimally refined at the winter test centre in Arjeplog. With every lap it completes on packed snow and ice, the test engineers can precisely tune the spontaneous power development of the electric motor, the control systems for optimizing traction, the cornering abilities, the suspension and damping characteristics, and the character of the steering and braking system. The integrated application of all drive and chassis systems enables a mature degree of overall harmony, which will help the later production model deliver a coherent and hallmark MINI balance of go-kart feeling and driving comfort.

About author

Automotive journalist and tech fanatic. Take him out for a drive, and you will notice him nit-picking even the minutest of details in a car.

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