Future Mini Electrics Might Shift to Rear-Wheel Drive
Mini has yet to produce a rear-wheel-drive model, but the BMW Neue Klasse platform could potentially introduce this in the coming years.
- Future mini electric vehicles will transition to the BMW Neue Klasse architecture.
- BMW developed the Neue Klasse platform intended for both rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations.
- There are no plans for a more affordable front-wheel-drive variant of the platform.
Mini vehicles have historically been compact and enjoyable front-wheel-drive automobiles known for their agile, go-kart-like steering response. Throughout history—whether prior to or following BMW’s acquisition in 2000—all Mini models have maintained this front-wheel-drive design. However, recent reports indicate that this could evolve since upcoming Mini variants will be built using the new Neue Klasse architecture.
Autocar indicated that once the present Electric Minis conclude their life cycle, they will be succeeded by vehicles based on the Neue Klasse platform. When questioned about the potential shift towards rear-wheel-drive configurations with Joachim Post, who serves as a BMW board member for procurement and supplies, he did not refute this idea. Instead, he commented, "We will see what the future holds. Our aim is to ensure pure driving enjoyment."
Although this isn’t definitive proof, it seems he suggested that transitioning to rear-wheel drive is definitely part of Mini’s plans moving forward. In contrast to Hyundai-Kia or Volkswagen, who offer less expensive front-wheel-drive variants of their E-GMP platform (found in vehicles such as the Kia EV4 ) and MEB platforms (utilized in entry-level VW EVs BMW does not intend to create a front-wheel-drive variant of its Neue Klasse architecture for more budget-friendly vehicles. This could necessitate making subsequent Minis rear-wheel drive instead.
BMW Blog I contacted BMW regarding the possibility of front-wheel-drive models based on the Neue Klasse platform, but they stated that there were currently no such intentions. Every vehicle built using this architecture will feature at minimum one permanent magnet motor positioned at the rear. For all-wheel-drive variants, an extra asynchronous motor will be added to drive the front wheels. Additionally, high-performance versions equipped with three or four electric motors may emerge from this lineup, potentially including dual motors for each axle. However, standard models will maintain a rear-wheel-drive configuration.
The original Mini Cooper SE remains one of the top three most enjoyable electric vehicles I've ever experienced, despite being a petrol model converted to run on electricity. It utilized the same electric motor as found in its rear-wheel-drive counterpart. BMW i3S , yet it turned out to be more enjoyable to drive than the BMW, despite having the engine powering the front wheels.
Around the time I was driving the Cooper SE, I also did tried the Honda e , an exclusive rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle intended for agile and enjoyable urban driving. Despite my strong inclination to enjoy this car and recognizing several of its positive attributes, I found myself unexpectedly preferring the front-wheel-drive Mini, which offered a far more engaging experience and appealed greatly to enthusiastic drivers compared to the Honda.
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If BMW opts for a rear-wheel-drive setup for future Mini electric vehicles, significant efforts will be required to distinguish these models from those sharing the same platform under their BMW counterparts. Despite shared characteristics, driving experiences vary considerably between BMWs and Minis, largely due to differences in power delivery at various axles across brands.
Although this may become a reality, Mini’s transition to rear-wheel-drive will not happen for several more years. The company only recently made another announcement. a new three-door electric Cooper and a five-door crossover named the Aceman , which are constructed based on a revamped iteration of the Great Wall Motor front-wheel-drive platform associated with the one that supports the Ora Cat These new electric Minis are expected to remain available until towards the end of the decade, giving BMW sufficient time either to develop a front-wheel-drive EV platform or maintain Mini’s characteristic handling with a rear-wheel-drive setup.