Classic British brand backs petrol with new Mini Coopers for drivers who 'appreciate the combustion engine'

Classic British brand backs petrol with new Mini Coopers for drivers who 'appreciate the combustion engine'

WATCH: Rishi Sunak on electric vehicle investment in the UK

GB NEWS
Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 09/02/2024

- 11:43

Updated: 09/02/2024

- 11:44

Mini said it wanted to give drivers the choice between electric and petrol vehicles

The classic British brand Mini has unveiled its new Cooper C and Cooper S cars in what is believed to be the final petrol models produced by the manufacturer.

After the launch of the new Mini Cooper Electric, the new Mini Cooper C and performance-enhanced Cooper S, with prices starting from £22,300.


The new Mini Cooper will be built at the brand’s manufacturing plant in Oxford, allowing drivers to have the choice between three trim levels – Classic, Exclusive and Sport.

Mini said the new Cooper models would combine “minimalist design, traditional brand values and iconic go-kart handling”.

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\u200bThe new Mini Cooper

The new petrol Mini Cooper

MINI

It will also feature the first Mini Intelligent Personal Assistant which can be activated by saying “Hey Mini”. This will then activate on the central OLED display.

Stefanie Wurst, Head of Mini, said: “At Mini, 'Power of Choice’ means that in addition to all-electric Mini models, we also offer models such as the new Mini Cooper with petrol engine.

“The car is ideal for all those people who want to drive a classic Mini 3-door and appreciate the traditional performance and characteristic sound of a combustion engine.”

Mini has confirmed that it would be fully electric by 2030 with a number of popular models already available to the public.

The new Mini Cooper

Prices for the new Mini will start from £22,300

MINI

It said it hopes to launch its last model available with internal combustion engines next year, followed by the goal of having electric vehicles make up 50 per cent of total Mini sales by 2027.

From the end of this decade, the brand’s entire line-up of models will consist of battery electric vehicles only.

This will make Mini the first brand under the BMW umbrella to ditch petrol and only produce zero emission vehicles.

The brand, which produces many of its vehicles in Oxford, already sells popular EVs with the Mini Cooper and the Mini Countryman.

The new Mini Cooper interior

Drivers will be able to use their voice to activate the central OLED display

MINI

The Mini Electric hatchback has also recently been launched for a comparatively low price of £32,550.

Mini has supported its electric ambitions with a huge £600million investment into its production factories in Oxford and Swindon.

They will both produce all-electric Mini models from 2026 and, by 2030, will exclusively produce electric vehicles.

Commenting on the investment, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “BMW Group’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

The new Mini Cooper rear light

The British brand said the vehicles would be made in Oxford

MINI

“By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the country.”

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