WeeklySA_AdminHOT HATCH: SA could see the all-new model late 2024 or early 2025
By Ali Mphaki
It comes in two versions. A petrol-powered, UK-built model on similar underpinnings to the current car, and a new Chinese-built electric version on a dedicated electric platform developed with China’s Great Wall Motors.
could see the all-new
model late 2024 or
early 2025
Due for unveiling later this year ahead of European showroom arrivals in 2024, its unveiling was originally slated for late 2023, however Mini has published a set of exterior photos of its new three-door model – now officially known as the Cooper.
Overseas reports say new petrol and electric Minis will use an ignition key – despite the EV not having an engine – in a nod to older Mini models.
The new electric Mini Cooper is expected to be available in two models at launch: an entry-level E with a 40kWh battery and 135kW electric motor, and a sportier SE with a 54kWh battery and 160kW motor.
According to the UK’s Autocar, driving range will be rated at 386km in the Cooper E, up from 233km of today’s Mini Cooper SE (32.6kWh). A figure for the larger battery has not been announced.
The electric Mini Cooper appears to feature shorter front and rear overhangs compared to the current petrol-powered Mini Hatch, with a simpler grille and headlights, new triangular tail-lights, and flush door handles separating it from the current electric Mini.
The large circular bug-eyed headlights, a large front grille (or at least the surround for one), blacked-out roof pillars and contrasting roof and mirror caps remain, with shorter overhangs than the current petrol-powered car.
There are flush door handles similar to the latest BMW models, while the current Mini’s rounded rectangle-shaped tail-lights have been swapped for sharper triangular units with a new style of Union Jack signatures (which show the blue inside of the flag, not the red and white lines).
Previous leaked photos have shown a minimalist interior with a large circular central touchscreen – which also serves as the instrument cluster – with a head-up display ahead of the driver, and a row of toggle switches.
This is the first all-new Mini hatch in close to a decade – and the first built in China for the world. After a quiet few years, this is the start of a major product blitz from Mini: the Cooper Electric will be shown at the same time as the new Mini Countryman (also available as petrol or electric, but no longer as a plug-in hybrid) and will go on sale in April/May 2024.
Five-door versions of the Mini hatch will follow, as will Convertibles – again, offered in a variety of powertrain choices.
BMW SA has yet to confirm the arrival of the all-new Mini Cooper in Mzansi.
could see the all-new
model late 2024 or
early 2025
motoring:
Briefs
NEW MERC E-CLASS
Mercedes is gearing up for the launch of the sixth-generation E-Class – and the new car has quite a fight on its hands. As well as rivalling traditional saloons like the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Jaguar XF, the E-Class will also need to tackle an ever-expanding range of pure-electric saloons that includes the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Volkswagen ID.7 and upcoming Polestar 5. Mercedes seems confident about its chances, though. The new E-Class will feature an evolution of the design language introduced on the seventh-generation S-Class saloon, a new range of electrified powertrains and a bang-up-to-date technology suite with more driver assistance kit, artificial intelligence and an enormous
Superscreen infotainment system. As before, the new E-Class will be available as a saloon or an estate (as hinted by the spy shots) – and its line-up will be crowned by at least one AMG-badged performance variant. However, this new model marks the death of the two-door E-Class coupe and convertible. To fill that niche, Mercedes will introduce a new CLE model.
FRAGILE EVs
Owners of electric vehicles have been warned that their cars could be written off following a minor accident if the battery pack is damaged. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, auction site Copart has salvaged a number of low-mileage written-off EVs, around half of which have suffered only minor battery damage. The paper published an anonymous quote from a senior insurance industry member, who claimed that vehicle manufacturers aren’t sharing diagnostic data, because they’re worried about independent garages botching repairs.
The expert confirmed that they’d seen electric vehicles being sent to scrap after minor accidents due to issues relating to the battery pack. These packs are not only expensive to buy, they’re expensive to repair, too.
2023 SUZUKI SWIFT SPIED
Spy shots of an all-new fourth-generation Suzuki Swift reveal in terms of design a strong glimpse as to how the car’s styling will evolve. The MINI-like, curvy bodystyle won’t be overhauled too much but it will get an entirely new front end. There’s a revised grille, round headlight design and a clamshell bonnet.
Mild-hybrid power was introduced during the outgoing Suzuki Swift model’s facelift and we expect the new car will utilise the same technology across the range from the get-go. It’ll have to deal with the likes of the soon-to-be facelifted Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris.
THRIFTY ISUZU D-MAX
Isuzu Motors South Africa, and its partner for the ONE TANK CHALLENGE Etrip, Engen SA, endeavoured to showcase the economical fuel consumption and money saving capabilities of its vehicle, the D-MAX 1.9 Ddi. The vehicle used on the trip has a good reputation for being fuel efficient, dependable, and suitable for both fleet operators and private customers. The One Tank Challenge trip, set off at ISUZU’s Midrand offices, with pit stops at the Engen 1 Stop Shops in Bloemfontein, Colesberg, and Laingsburg.
The journey featured 10 drivers (five driving pairs) who represented motoring journalists and influencers. Out of the 5 pairs, 4 made it to Cape Town Engen Winelands One Stop, while 3 were able to make it to the finish line at Signal Hill without needing an additional refill.
BMW XM 50e
While we were busy processing the new XM Label Red, BMW snuck out another derivative of its range-topping SUV – the 50e. BMW only released a short teaser video on the new car to confirm its imminent arrival but we already have plenty of background information.
The 50e is pitched as the entry-level model within the BMW XM range, with the standard XM above it and the new Label Red as the hottest version. The 50e badge suggests we could see a straight-six, twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol unit under that big bonnet, rather than a V8 as in the other two XM models. Like the rest of the XM range there will still be plug-in hybrid power on offer – denoted by the ‘e’ in the badge.
In terms of design there’s little to distinguish the XM 50e from its stablemates. There’s still the imposing, bluff front end with those large kidney grilles and this model is finished in a BMW Individual yellow.
