We carry you some reside pictures from Portugal of the 2025 MINI Cooper S (F66). The premium small hatchback shines within the new shade: Ocean Wave Inexperienced. The F66, in its three-door guise, marks a notable evolution from its predecessors with a frivolously restyled entrance fascia and a very new rear fascia. Most of those design options are shared with its electrical brother, the J01. The F66 MINI Cooper grows by 12 mm in size in comparison with the outgoing mannequin. That locations it at 3877 mm in whole. The J01 electrical MINI is barely shorter, coming in at 3,858 mm. The J01 is wider  than the F66 by 12 mm. With regards to top, the F66 is simply 2 mm shorter than the electrified mannequin.

The Design

At first look, these two might sound intently matched, with their iconic MINI aesthetics. But it surely’s solely once we carry them collectively that the design of the 2 begins to look barely totally different. The J01 and F66 MINI Cooper mix the accustomed to the brand new. Its design options easy surfaces, up to date lights, and a putting absence of aspect scuttles for a cleaner profile. On the entrance, the basic round headlights flank a redesigned octagonal grille, changing the normal hexagonal form, whereas vibrant silver accents mark a departure from chrome.

Flush door handles and the elimination of fender flares not solely refine its look but additionally improve aerodynamics, reaching a drag coefficient of 0.28. The forward-shifted cowl and angled windshield additional distinguish the J01 from the F66. The rear finish, nonetheless, makes a daring assertion with its minimalist design, that includes new gentle clusters and a hatch form that seamlessly integrates with the general design, even hiding the exhaust pipe for a cleaner look. Whereas each fashions have bid farewell to the clamshell bonnet, it’s the J01’s tapered rear that units it aside from the F66’s extra squared design. The Cooper SE comes non-obligatory 17- and 18-inch alloys with wider tires (up by 10/20 mm to 205/225 mm). For the Cooper F66, the wheels vary from 16 to 18 inches.

The Inside

Inside, each Coopers embrace minimalism. The round 9.4” OLED touchscreen, a centerpiece of the cabin, introduces the all-new MINI Working System 9, with a number of expertise modes. Switchgear has been diminished to a minimal. The door playing cards are totally different, with the latch positioned a lot decrease on the electrical mannequin. The electrical J01 has its tweeters positioned on the door, whereas within the new F66, they’re nonetheless on the A-pillar. It additionally has an additional local weather vent to the suitable of the steering wheel that’s lacking within the EV. The F66 incorporates the middle console and seating design from the most recent Countryman, that includes a considerably bigger middle armrest for enhanced consolation.

Cargo Area

MINI says the revised mannequin has a 210-liter trunk, however you may prolong the utmost load quantity to 800 liters for those who fold down the rear seat. That’s one liter much less and 141 liters lower than earlier than, and the numbers are equivalent to these of the J01 EV.

Ultimately, each Coopers are an evolution of the earlier fashions reasonably than a significant redesign. They keep true to their MINI roots with a extra minimalistic design. This mixing of heritage and modernity, efficiency and practicality, makes the 2025 MINI Cooper S F66 a compelling subsequent chapter within the storied historical past of MINI. The MINI Cooper S is ready to start US manufacturing in March 2024, with a base MSRP of $32,200 plus further charges. [Photos: Bernhard Filser]