New Mini Cooper production is underway
Production of the all-new Mini Cooper at Mini Plant Oxford in the UK has begun. At an event in mid-March attended by the Head of Mini, Stefanie Wurst, other Mini executives and plant associates, the first example of the fifth-generation car was driven off the line by Charlie Cooper, grandson of the legendary John Cooper.
The first to see the performance potential of the original Austin/Morris Mini, John Cooper, co-founder of Cooper Car Co. Ltd., introduced Cooper-badged Minis in 1961 with a larger, more powerful engine, revised gear ratios and disc front brakes. The Cooper S followed in 1963, when rallying success was translated to circuit racing victories, too. Since then, Cooper performance variants have been a staple of Mini production and continue with this latest generation.
“This underscores the commitment to our roots, while propelling us into a dynamic future of driving,” said Wurst. “Plant Oxford is the heart of the Mini brand, and as we witness the birth of this new chapter, we renew our pledge to craftsmanship, sustainability, and the thrill of motoring."
While Mini Plant Oxford produces body shells and assembles the new Mini Cooper, BMW Group factories in Swindon and North Warwickshire are contributing, too, responsible respectively for panels and engine building.
Mini Plant Oxford are producing the petrol-engined Cooper in two variants - the Cooper C and performance Cooper S - both of which will be coming to Australia later this year, along with an electric Cooper E and Cooper SE. In 2026, Mini Plant Oxford will begin manufacture of two new all-electric Minis, with production at the UK facility to be exclusively electric from 2030.
For Australia, the Cooper C will be available in Core, Classic and Favoured grades, with the Cooper S offered in Classic, Favoured and JCW Sport grades.
The Cooper C features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 115kW and 230Nm, while the Cooper S runs a 150kW/300Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that’s capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.6 seconds. Both variants use a seven-speed DCT automatic, with no manual transmission offered.
Styling has been tweaked to set the fifth-generation Mini Cooper apart from its predecessor (most notably on the tail lights), with key upgrades across the range including a head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a new 240mm OLED centre screen with ‘Mini Experience’ mode that offers seven selectable visual/audio options, and an ‘Intelligent Personal Assistant’ function. A focus on sustainability and ‘greener’ manufacturing sees no chrome outside and no leather inside (replaced with cloth and Vescin synthetic leather), while the alloy wheels feature up to 70 per cent recycled material and selected interior trim items use 90 per cent recycled polyester.
Australian pricing for the new, fifth-generation Mini Cooper starts at $41,990 for the Cooper C Core grade, with the Classic $44,990 and Favoured $47,990. Cooper S pricing starts at $49,990 for the Classic grade, $52,990 for Favoured and $54,990 for the JCW Sport (all pricing excludes ORCs).
The first locally-delivered units of the new Mini Cooper in both petrol and electric form are expected in Q3, 2024.
