Mini Cooper to make return as iconic motor is spotted on test run out
THE NEW Mini Cooper has been spied on a test run out as the iconic motor prepares to go on sale in the UK in the summer of 2024.
And while the all-electric Cooper has already been unveiled, these new pictures show the equivalent fourth-generation petrol version that boasts a handful of subtle changes.
Although heavily disguised, this five-door Cooper clearly sports a new front bumper and grill, while eagle-eyed fans of the model will also notice changes to the rear lights.
Indeed, it looks much like the new electric version of the three-door hatch – but typically sticks to the design of the first BMW Mini launched in the early 2000s.
The legendary Cooper name was the brain-child of John Cooper, a motorsport revolutionary who began a small car company from his garage in Surbiton, Surrey, before developing the original Mini.
He is credited with introducing the rear-engined designs now common at the highest levels of racing, including F1.
Back in September, Stefanie Wurst, who heads up Mini, confirmed the next generation Cooper will not be available with a manual transmission.
This means only the automatic and electric versions will be on sale.
Mini plans to go fully electric by the end of the decade, but the car brand won’t completely turn its back on the internal combustion-engined variant just yet.
This comes after Ferrari’s next hypercar was spied during a test run out of its own.
This high-powered motor is rumoured to get a hybrid V6 powertrain using tech from famous F1 and Le Mans racers – more than 10 years since the Italian firm released their last hypercar.
Meanwhile, an urban explorer has revealed dozens of incredible motors that could be found at at iconic scrapyard, including a gorgeous Bentley Continental GT,
The breakers yard, which can be found in Nutbourne, near Chichester, is a treasure trove of motors old and new – including a sporty Fiat 500 Abarth, Porsche Cayenne, Peugeot 306, Mercedes-Benz SLK and even an old taxi.