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MINI finished 2025 on a positive note in the U.S., posting full-year growth despite a sharp slowdown at the end of the year. On the strength of a largely refreshed lineup, MINI USA reported total sales of 28,749 vehicles in 2025, an increase of 9.3% over the 26,299 units sold in 2024. That momentum did not fully carry into the final months of the year. Fourth-quarter sales totaled 6,887 vehicles, down 21.3% compared to Q4 2024. Still, the broader picture shows a brand in the middle of a meaningful reset that is beginning to resonate with buyers. A Year Defined by Full Inventory The story of MINI in 2025 was not about incentives or short-term spikes. It was about product. The arrival of the new Cooper and the latest-generation Countryman fundamentally changed MINI’s showroom mix, giving dealers modern hardware to sell after several years of aging models. That impact was clear early. Q1 sales rose as the new lineup gained traction, setting the stage for a strong spring. By Q2, MINI posted a 29% year-over-year increase, driven primarily by demand for the new Cooper and Countryman. Momentum continued into Q3, where sales surged again as availability improved and consumer awareness caught up with the product overhaul. By the time MINI entered the final quarter, much of that initial launch demand had already been pulled forward. Low Cooper Sales And the Manual Transmission One factor clearly weighing on Hardtop performance, particularly the two door model, is the absence of a manual transmission. For years, the two door Hardtop served as the spiritual core of the MINI brand, and a disproportionate share of its buyers were enthusiasts who specifically sought out a manual. With the current generation moving to an automatic only lineup in the U.S., MINI effectively removed a key emotional and mechanical differentiator from its most iconic model. The result is not just fewer sales (21% down for the year), but a shift in who the car appeals to. While the new two door Hardtop is objectively quicker, more refined, and better equipped, it no longer speaks as directly to the purist audience that historically kept that model buoyant, especially in down market years. Why Q4 Fell Back The Q4 decline looks dramatic on paper, but it comes with context. MINI was coming off a strong late-2024 period, creating a tough comparison. At the same time, the brand was managing ongoing transitions, including model changeovers, limited Clubman availability as the nameplate winds down, and a market increasingly crowded with new competitors. Looking at the numbers by model helps explain the dynamic. The Countryman remained MINI’s volume leader for the quarter, but even it saw a year-over-year dip in Q4. Hardtop models were also down as early demand for the new Cooper cooled after a strong mid-year run. In other words, Q4 looks less like a collapse and more like a pause. YearMINI U.S. DeliveriesChange vs Prior Year201366,502 —201456,112 –15.6% 201558,514 +4.3% 201652,030 –11.1% 201747,105 –9.5% 201843,684 –7.3% 201936,092 –17.4% 202028,138 –22.4% 202129,930 +6.4% 202229,504 –1.4% 202333,497 +13.5%202426,299 –21.5%202528,749+9.3% The Bigger Picture Stepping back, 2025 reads as a rebuilding year that worked. MINI reversed its recent downward trend, posted solid full-year growth, and successfully reintroduced itself to buyers with a lineup that finally feels current again. With the Cooper and Countryman now fully established, MINI heads into 2026 with a clearer foundation than it has had in years. The fourth quarter may have softened, but the year as a whole suggests the comeback is real, even if it remains a work in progress. The post MINI USA Ends 2025 Up 9.3% Despite Cooper Sales Down appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The R56 MINI sits at a crossroads in the brand’s modern history. Today’s MINIs rank among the most reliable small cars you can buy, but the R56 arrived before the brand fully found its footing in long-term durability. In the right spec and with the right care, it delivers a level of engagement that still defies logic for a small hatchback. In the wrong example, it becomes a rolling reminder of why knowledge matters more than mileage. This buyer’s guide exists to help you make the right call, showing you what to avoid, what to prioritize, and how to find an R56 worth owning long term. MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden R56: A Crucial Chapter for MINI The R56 MINI Hatch entered production in late 2006 for the 2007 model year and remained on sale through 2013. It replaced the R50 and R53 models and represented MINI’s first major reset under full BMW stewardship. Unlike the first generation, which leaned heavily on charm and simplicity, the R56 aimed to be more refined, more efficient, and more globally competitive. It introduced new engines, new electronics, and a more mature interior, while retaining the handling DNA that defined the brand. The R56 was also a commercial success. Hundreds of thousands were sold globally over its production run, making it one of MINI’s most important models by volume. It broadened the brand’s appeal beyond enthusiasts, particularly in North America and Europe, and laid the groundwork for the larger and more premium MINIs that followed. However, that success came with growing pains. The R56 is the generation where MINI learned some hard lessons about complexity, durability, and long-term ownership. Especially when it comes to engines. Where BMW partnered with Chrysler on the Tritec for the R50 generation, they turned to PSA for the second generation MINIs. Where the Tritec was an iron block and relatively crude in its tech, the Prince family of engines (as they were known internally) relied on loads of new tech, an aluminum block, and ditched the iconic supercharger in the S and JCW models for a more modern twin-scroll turbo. On paper, it all sounded great. But in practice, things were more complicated. MINI Cooper – Model Year 2010 What to Look for on Any R56 Before breaking the R56 down by model year or engine, there are several ownership themes that apply to every example, regardless of trim. Transmission and Drivetrain Manual transmissions (Getrag) are generally durable across the range Clutch life varies by driving style but failures are predictable and straightforward to repair Automatic transmissions (Aisin) are more hit or miss, especially in early cars Hesitation, rough shifts, and premature wear are common if fluid changes were skipped Manuals remain the safer long-term choice Driveshafts, CV joints, and engine mounts are wear items, not design flaws Vibration or knocking under load usually points to deferred maintenance The 2010 MINI Cooper S Chassis, Suspension, and Steering Steering feel and chassis balance are standout strengths of the R56 but it comes with downsides. Suspension components wear faster than average for a small car Common wear points include control arm bushings, dampers, and wheel bearings JCW models and cars on larger wheels accelerate suspension wear Expect suspension refreshes as mileage climbs and budget accordingly The 2011 MINI Cooper Interior The 2010 MINI John Cooper Works MINI Connected The 2009 MINI Cooper Interior MINI Connected Interior Quality and Age-Related Issues Interior design looks premium when new but durability is inconsistent Soft-touch plastics commonly peel, become sticky, or wear through Problem areas include door pulls, armrests, center console trim, and switches Window switches, climate controls, and early infotainment systems can fail Sagging headliners are common, especially in hot climates or outdoor-stored cars Most interior issues are cosmetic but should influence pricing Rust and Corrosion Reality Unlike the R50 and R53, rust is not a widespread structural issue on the R56. Corrosion tends to appear in predictable areas rather than across the body. Most common locations include the rear hatch around the license plate lights and rear wheel arches in salt-heavy climates The 2008 MINI Cooper Pre-LCI vs Pos-LCI: What to Know MINI (like BMW) will refresh its cars generally once during a generation. In BMW-speak it’s referred to an LCI or “Life Cycle Impulse”. The Pre-LCI R56 models span roughly 2007 through 2010. Not surprisingly MINI made numerous improvements both mechanically and stylistically in its 2011 LCI. Pre-LCI cars are where most of the known issues originate and ground zero are the engines. Build quality is less consistent, electronics are more temperamental, and engine problems are more likely if maintenance was not strictly adhered to (which we’ll get to in the next section) For standard Cooper models, faults tend to be manageable. For Cooper S models, problems can escalate quickly if neglected. Buyers should be especially alert for cold-start noises, rough idle, warning lights, and evidence of deferred servicing. A cheap pre-LCI Cooper S is rarely a bargain. The 2011 MINI Cooper S LCI R56: A Turning Point with Caveats The 2011 Life Cycle Impulse marked a quiet but critical turning point for the R56. Visually, the LCI introduced revised headlights and taillights, updated bumpers (with functional brake ducts), and refreshed wheel designs. Inside, MINI revised instrument graphics, lighting, and switchgear, and improved infotainment options. More importantly, MINI addressed several mechanical weaknesses. Software calibration improved, timing components were revised, and overall drivability became more consistent. LCI cars feel more cohesive and better resolved in daily use. However, the LCI did not fix everything, and not all models benefited equally. Some known issues persisted, and engine updates arrived unevenly across the range, something buyers often misunderstand. Revised 2010 MINI Cooper S (N18) Engine Engine Evolution Across the R56 Range: What to Buy and What to Verify Engine choice matters more than mileage, trim level, or cosmetic condition when buying an R56. The difference between a good ownership experience and an expensive one often comes down to which engine sits under the hood. Cooper Models: N12 and N16 Standard Cooper models use naturally aspirated engines and are, by a wide margin, the most reliable R56 variants. N12 engines are found in pre-LCI cars. They are mechanically simple and generally durable, but buyers should listen for timing chain noise on cold start and check for oil leaks around the valve cover. N16 engines arrived with the LCI and brought revised timing components, improved oil control, and updated engine management. These engines are the safest bet in the entire R56 lineup and tolerate normal use and maintenance far better than earlier turbocharged options. If long-term reliability is the priority, this is where to start. MINI Cooper S w/JCW Running Kit (N18) engine (03/2011) Cooper S Models: N14 vs N18 Cooper S models require far more scrutiny. N14 engines are found in pre-LCI Cooper S models and are the source of most R56 horror stories. Common issues include timing chain stretch, high-pressure fuel pump failures, carbon buildup from direct injection, turbo oil supply problems, and cooling system failures. A neglected N14 can become expensive very quickly. N18 engines arrived with the LCI and represent a meaningful step forward. MINI revised the timing system, improved crankcase ventilation, updated fueling logic, and addressed several heat management issues. While still requiring diligent maintenance, the N18 is far more tolerant of real-world driving and ownership. John Cooper Works Models: Read the Fine Print John Cooper Works models add another layer of complexity. Early factory JCW hatchbacks used a JCW-specific version of the N14 engine with stronger internals and upgraded hardware. While better suited to hard driving than the standard N14, these engines still share the same underlying vulnerabilities related to timing, fueling, and heat management. Critically, JCW hatchbacks did not receive the N18 engine at the start of the LCI. From 2011 through early 2012, facelift JCW models continued to use the N14. The JCW finally transitioned to a JCW-specific N18 for the 2013 model year. This delayed update is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the R56 and explains why some facelift JCWs still carry early-generation risks. Buyers must verify engine codes rather than assuming all LCI cars are improved. Buyers should actively seek out N18-powered Cooper S and JCW models and treat N14 cars with caution, regardless of price. But for the ultimate reliability, the R56 Cooper is likely your best bet. Why Engines Matter More Than Anything Else Two R56s with identical mileage and condition can offer completely different ownership experiences depending on engine type. Verifying the engine code should be one of the first steps in evaluating any R56, especially for Cooper S and JCW models. Simply put, knowing which engine you are buying matters far more than how clean the car looks or how little it has been driven. MINI Cooper John Cooper Works (03/2011) Our Take The R56 is a car that rewards informed buyers and punishes careless ones. In the right configuration, with the right engine and service history, it remains one of the most engaging and characterful small cars of its era. In the wrong example, it can quickly become a financial headache. If reliability is the priority, a later Cooper with the N16 engine is the safest choice. If performance matters, an N18 Cooper S strikes the best balance of speed and durability. JCW models offer peak character but demand the most diligence. The R56 tells the story of MINI growing up in real time. Know where the lessons were learned, buy accordingly, and it can still be a deeply satisfying car to own. The post The Ultimate R56 MINI Cooper Buyer’s Guide (2007-2013) appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI, and BMW more broadly, have been smarter than most automakers in their expansion into electric vehicles. Yes, there have been missteps. But the key to their enviable position today is a dual EV and ICE product strategy. What many people do not realize is that it almost did not happen this way. This is the never-told story of how MINI nearly killed the petrol Cooper in its race to electrify the brand. In 2019, MINI was deep into planning its next generation of products. At the time, much of the world appeared to be moving rapidly toward electrification, especially in dense urban markets. That reality prompted an obvious internal question. If MINI was an urban, youthful brand, why not lead the charge into an all-electric future? According to multiple sources, MINI made the preliminary decision to move all Cooper models to an all-electric platform manufactured in both Asia and the UK. The J01 and its derivatives would form the foundation for every future Cooper variant as well as the Aceman. Meanwhile, because it could easily share platforms and components with small BMWs, the Countryman would continue to be offered with both internal combustion and electric powertrains. Under that roadmap, the iconic internal-combustion F56 generation would end meaning the MINI model line-up would consist of an electric Cooper range (plus the Aceman) and the Countryman offered as both petrol and EV. At this point, the F66 petrol Cooper was not even under consideration. The brand was prepared to sunset the petrol hatch entirely. How The All Electric Cooper Plans Were Derailed That idealism quickly hit a brick wall of reality. In key regions like North America and parts of Europe, there was significant internal pushback. Petrol Coopers still accounted for a large share of sales and, as good as EVs can be, they rarely deliver the qualities many customers associate with the Cooper experience. Even more problematic was the state of charging infrastructure, which was severely lacking in large markets like the US, Canada, and Australia. Under that pressure, MINI executives went back to engineering and design teams and asked a new question. Could the F56 be updated into something fresh enough to live alongside the electric J01 rather than be replaced by it? The answer was yes. But in typical German form, another facelift wouldn’t suffice. Instead engineers and designers went to work reengineering and refining the F56 in ways they had wanted to for years. The new F66 (left) and the previous generation F56 (right) From F56 to F66: What Changed Although the F66 shares its underlying UKL1 chassis with the F56, the changes are deeper than most people realize. Rather than just tweaking bumpers, MINI engineers re-worked almost every key surface and system to modernize and future-proof the petrol hatch. Dimensions & Packaging Wider stance: The F66 is noticeably wider than the F56 (about 77.6 inches vs 75.9 inches), thanks in part to a wider track and bigger tyres that improve stability and road feel. Slightly re-shaped body: Front and rear overhangs were trimmed, giving the new car a slightly different silhouette, shorter overall with a more modern look. Boot gains volume: Even cargo space saw a modest bump through clever packaging tweaks. The fact that nearly every exterior panel (except roof, doors and glass) is new shows how thorough this redesign was. The F66 MINI Cooper JCW Engine and Drivetrain Tweaks Rather than simply carrying over the F56’s engines, the F66 introduced revised powerplants and transmissions: Petrol Cooper and Cooper S models received power bumps — for instance, the base Cooper up to ~155 hp, Cooper S to ~200 hp. Every petrol model is now paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) instead of the older automatics, sharpening throttle response and acceleration feel. In JCW trim, torque jumps meaningfully even if peak horsepower stays similar, changing how the car feels on the road. The sum of these changes gives the F66 petrol lineup a more refined, confident character — especially in mid-range driveability — compared with the older F56. The F66 MINI Cooper JCW interior Interior Revolution Where the outside feels evolutionary, the inside feels revolutionary: MINI lifted the entire dashboard concept and infotainment system from the all-new electric J01 and dropped it into the F66. The centerpiece is a large 9.4-inch circular OLED touchscreen running the new MINI Operating System 9, far more advanced than the F56 system. Physical buttons are pared back to essentials, creating a minimalist cabin. This digital-first cockpit was a key part of selling the F66 internally, it let the petrol Cooper feel modern in a world where EVs often set the tech bar. The electric J01 MINI Cooper Why It Was Worth Saving From a purely strategic standpoint, letting the petrol Cooper die would have saved hundreds of millions in development costs and accelerated MINI’s push toward electrification. But from a brand, cultural, and market perspective, killing the petrol Cooper at that moment would have created a dangerous gap between MINI’s heritage and its future, one that neither enthusiasts nor mainstream buyers were prepared to cross. The F66 exists because MINI chose pragmatism over ideology. It preserves the internal-combustion Cooper while layering in enough design, technology, and performance updates to feel relevant in a rapidly changing market. Fast forward to today and that decision looks remarkably prescient. As EV adoption cools and consumers hesitate to fully commit, MINI finds itself in a rare position of strength. While others scramble to course-correct, MINI already has the flexibility many brands now wish they had built in from the start. The post How BMW Almost Killed The Combustion MINI Cooper appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear. The global MINI community is as curious, engaged, and opinionated as it has ever been. And once again, MotoringFile existed to serve that curiosity with context, history, and a point of view you will not find anywhere else. Millions of you visited MotoringFile from around the world. From the United States and the United Kingdom to China, Canada, Australia, Germany and beyond, the audience continues to grow. What has not changed is why you come. You want stories that explain not just what MINI is doing, but why it matters. Our 2025 MINI Countryman SE test car MotoringFile’s 25 Most Popular Stories of 2025 Based on reader engagement and total views, these were the stories you spent the most time with this year, ranked in order: MINI USA Unveils 2026 Line-up With New Options & Pricing MINI Cooper Quality: How the Brand Went From Dead Last to Top 5 in Reliability MINI Rocketman Revival: What the EU’s New Microcar Segment Could Mean for MINI MINI Cooper JCW Reimagined: Deus Ex Machina Debuts The Skeg & The Machina Exclusive: MINI Cooper 2000 GT Special Edition Coming Later This Year First Drive: F66 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Review: One Week with the 2025 MINI Countryman S 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Is Hiding an Extra Exhaust Pipe First Look: The MINI 66 Collection – Retro Inspired Limited Edition MINI Officially Launches New JCW Accessories for the F66 MINI Cooper Mercedes Might Use BMW’s B48 Engine: What it Means For Future MINI Coopers 2026 MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition: Why This Special Edition Feels Different Why the 2006 MINI Cooper S Might Be the Best Modern MINI Ever Built The F66 MINI Cooper: Why the Brand’s Oldest Model Might Be Its Best MINI Debuts Stunning New JCW Wheel And It Likely Fits Your MINI The MINI Superleggera: How MINI’s Most Beautiful Car Almost Went Into Production MINI Expands Color Options on the Cooper and Countryman MINI Ends Aftermarket Coding While Introducing Its Own Customization Options Exclusive MINI Cooper by Elie Saab Blends Couture and Performance When MINI Built a Rolls-Royce: A $52,000 Experiment in MINI Cooper Luxury Top 5 MINI Concepts That Should Have Made Production The MINI Superleggera: An Inside Look at Its Design and Build MINI Rocketman: The Radical Concept That Might Make a Comeback The MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition: The Biggest MINI Special Edition Ever The MINI ACV 30 – A Look Back At MINI’s Most Wild Concept What stands out is the sustained interest in ideas. Concepts like Rocketman and Superleggera continue to resonate years later, reinforcing that clever design, restraint, and character still matter deeply to MINI fans. But so do the practical pieces of content like what’s new for 2026, and of course, reviews. Our 2025 MINI Cooper JCW Convertible test car The Most Watched MotoringFile Videos on YouTube Our YouTube channel saw massive growth in 2025. We’ve been posting videos since 2005 but wasn’t until this year we finally started to take things a bit more serious. These were the most watched videos on youtube.com/motoringfile: The MINI Superleggera: An Inside Look at Its Design and Build MINI Rocketman: The Radical Concept That Might Make a Comeback The MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition Explained MINI Driving Assistant Pro: First Look and Real World Use MINI OS9 Explained in 15 Minutes Video continues to be where we can show the nuance behind the headlines. Software, design decisions, and long running concept debates all benefit from seeing the details rather than just reading about them. Look for much more in 2026. Our 2025 MINI Countryman JCW during our off-road testing Thank You MotoringFile has never been about chasing clicks or rewriting press releases. It exists because you care about MINI beyond the brochure. You want history, context, and honesty. You want to know what is real, what is marketing, and what might still be possible. Thank you for reading, watching, commenting, sharing, and occasionally disagreeing. That dialogue is what keeps MotoringFile relevant after nearly two decades. Here is to another year! The post MotoringFile 2025 Rewind: A Year Defined by Reviews, Concepts & Community appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

In 2021, MINI made one of the boldest commitments of any legacy automaker, announcing it would become fully electric by 2030. Four short years later, those plans and the models that were set to make it happen have all changed. Here’s the full story of MINI’s shift and why it could be the best thing to happen to the brand since its 2001 relaunch. At the time of the 2021 announcement, the logic felt sound. MINI’s size, urban focus, and brand positioning appeared uniquely suited to an EV-only future, and the announcement set expectations across the industry and among buyers. The plan was to offer both petrol and electric options until 2030 when the brand would move to an all EV model offering. Fast forward to 2025 and the brand has fundamentally altered its strategy by signaling that there is no official end-date for petrol powered MINIs. Here’s why it happened and what’s next. The electric J01 MINI Cooper JCW The First Shift Came Before 2025 Began The earliest signs of change appeared in late 2024, when we reported that MINI backtracked on its stated plans to build the J01 Cooper and J05 Aceman EVs at its Oxford plan in the UK. Given Oxford’s symbolic importance to MINI, this was not simply a manufacturing decision. It was an early signal that MINI’s EV roadmap was being reassessed at a structural level. Days later, we reported that MINI canceled the J03 electric Convertible. Rather than forcing every body style into electrification regardless of cost or complexity, MINI was now willing to walk away from EV derivatives that no longer made strategic sense. By the time 2025 began, the foundation of MINI’s original EV strategy had already shifted. The electric J01 MINI Cooper SE 2025 Made the New Direction Unmistakable As the year unfolded, MINI stopped treating electrification as an absolute outcome and began treating it as a variable. Early this year sources confirmed to MotoringFile that MINI would be developing a new combustion-powered Countryman rather than transitioning the model exclusively to electric power. For MINI’s largest and most commercially important vehicle, this was a defining move. Electrification would continue, but ICE would remain central to the lineup. The electric U25 MINI Countryman Later reporting confirmed that the combustion-powered Countryman would continue indefinitely, with no fixed sunset date. What had once been framed as a transitional bridge became an open-ended strategy. By fall, MINI addressed timing more directly when it extended the current Cooper and Countryman as EV plans faced major delays. EV replacements were not canceled, but infrastructure readiness, affordability, and demand were clearly lagging behind earlier assumptions. The message was now unmistakable. MINI was no longer planning toward a single global EV finish line. The MINI Model Roadmap Model / CodePowertrainPlatformStart of ProductionEnd of ProductionKey NotesF66 Cooper (ICE)?? Petrol(updated UKL)03/2406/32MINI is extending the lifespan of the F66 by 2 years to give it flexibility as regulations shift globallyJ01 Cooper (EV)?? ElectricGWM platform03/2406/31It’s unclear how MINI will replace the J01 or if its partnership with GWM will continueU25 Countryman (ICE)?? PetrolFAAR (evolved UKL2)11/2306/32MINI is extending the lifespan of the U25 to give it flexibility as regulations shift globallyU25 Countryman SE ALL4 (EV)?? ElectricFAAR-based EV11/2306/32Intended to be a bridge EV model, production has now been extended four years. Powertrain refresh scheduled for 03/26.NE5 Countryman EV (Next Gen)?? ElectricNeue Klasse (Gen6 EV)11/3206/40All-new RWD EV withGen6 batteries based on the Neue Klasse platformUXX Countryman (ICE)?? PetrolTBDTBDTBDIt’s unclear what will underpin this new Countryman but we’d guess it will be a revised FAAR platform Europe Changed the Equation Regulation played a critical role in enabling MINI’s pivot. In September, we reported that the European Union began softening its 2035 EV mandate, introducing flexibility around compliance pathways, alternative fuels, and implementation timelines. This removed one of the largest external pressures that had driven MINI’s original all-electric plan. For MINI, the regulatory reset allowed product planning to align more closely with market reality. For consumers, it meant more choice and a transition that no longer forced a single powertrain outcome on every buyer. The electric J01 MINI Cooper SE The US Market Made the Shift Impossible to Ignore Nowhere was the impact of this strategic reset more visible than in the United States. With the current administration resoundingly anti-environment, federal EV incentives were canceled and fuel efficiency regulations rolled back. That meant the days of $269 lease deals on the 2025 MINI Countryman were gone. The response was telling. Demand surged temporarily, then softened as incentives disappeared, highlighting just how dependent EV affordability remained on government support. That reality forced MINI USA to adapt quickly. By the end of the year, we confirmed that MINI USA would build the Countryman SE only for customer orders as EV incentives faded. Rather than stocking EV inventory broadly, MINI shifted to a demand-driven model that reduced risk while preserving choice. The electric J01 MINI Cooper JCW Our Take MINI did not abandon its electric future in 2025. But it did abandon the idea that electrification had to happen on a single, predetermined schedule. The brand moved from commitment to optionality. From deadlines to adaptability. From a one-size-fits-all EV strategy to a regionally responsive approach that gives both MINI and its customers more control over how the transition unfolds. Electric MINIs are still coming. Investment continues and BMW’s promising Neue Klasse platform is there for MINI when it’s ready. But internal combustion engines are no longer treated as temporary holdovers on the way to an inevitable endpoint. They are once again part of MINI’s long-term equation. What MINI is doing is aligning itself more closely with how customers actually buy cars, how incentives shape demand in real markets, and how long meaningful transitions truly take. The post How MINI Changed Its EV Strategy and What It Means for the Brand’s Future appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Electric vehicles reveal their character not in daily commuting but on longer drives where planning, efficiency, and charging infrastructure all intersect. That is exactly why this trip mattered. The route from Chicago to north of Milwaukee is deceptively simple. Flat highways. Consistent speeds. Familiar Midwest conditions. It is also the kind of drive many Countryman buyers will make regularly. Long enough to test range assumptions. Short enough to expose charging realities. From the moment the wheels started turning, electric MINI Countryman felt at home on the highway. So much so that this is clearly the best highway car that MINI has ever made. Stability was excellent, road noise was low, and the power delivery made merging and passing effortless. With the weight down low and the battery pack providing excellent sound insulating qualities, the ride and the comfort were far better than even the new petrol Countryman. Range consumption told an honest story. At highway speeds, efficiency naturally dropped compared to EPA estimates. But it did so predictably. There were no surprises, no sudden cliff edges. The car simply settled into a rhythm and delivered consistent feedback on what it was using and what remained. Using the built-in navigation (recommended for the electric Countryman SE), the car constantly kept me aware of my total range and how my driving style was affecting it. Charging was equally revealing. Not in showing limitations of the Countryman but of the charging network itself. The moment you venture off the highway and into rural America, finding a working fast charger will likely take you far out of your way. So much so that I never did. Well accept for the one that was offline. Luckily a slow charger proved to be good enough for the day and I was able to make the 220 mile round trip with a few miles left. But the Countryman did a lot to help with that touch of range anxiety. With the navigation on, it was very clear what range I had how it would affect my trip. So much as that at one point the Countryman (with assisted driving plus on) decided to charge itself and proceeded to began exiting the highway and heading to a fast charger just off the exit. Clearly it didn’t know I had a charger at our destination – my garage. This drive did not prove that EVs are perfect or that range never matters. What it did prove is that the electric MINI Countryman fits comfortably into real world use, even when conditions are less than ideal. Yes there are some mental hurdles to overcome. But nothing that a little planning can’t solve in most any situation. The post Video: Testing the Electric MINI Countryman – Real-World Range & Charging appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

How Deus Ex Machina and MINI Produced MINI’s Most Acclaimed Concepts in Over a Decade Earlier this year MINI quietly did something it has not managed in a long time. It debuted a set of concept cars that felt genuinely new, widely praised, and instantly debated. Not exercises in nostalgia. Not marketing theatre. Real design thinking made physical. For many enthusiasts, the Deus Ex Machina concepts were MINI’s most highly acclaimed concept cars in over a decade. The reaction was not accidental. These cars arrived at a moment when MINI’s future feels more fluid than fixed, and they spoke directly to questions of identity, proportion, and relevance. Looking back at our coverage, it becomes clear why they resonated so strongly. A Concept Program Meant to Disrupt Deus Ex Machina was never about previewing a single production model. It was a broader design program that gave MINI designers room to explore ideas without immediately answering to cost, regulation, or production timing. We broke down the thinking behind the program in MINI Deus Ex Machina. Inside BMW Group Design’s Concept Program. To us, what stood out was the clarity of purpose. These were not sketches or speculative renderings. They were fully realized physical concepts meant to test proportion, stance, and brand expression at full scale. MINI was not asking what it could build tomorrow. It was asking what it should be thinking about next. Reducing MINI to Its Core One reason the Deus Ex Machina concepts landed so hard is that they embraced reduction rather than excess. Each car explored what happens when MINI is stripped back to its essentials and rebuilt from first principles. That idea drove strong reaction to MINI Deus Ex Machina Concept. Stripping the Brand Back to Its Essentials. The discussion went beyond surface design and into identity. How much can you remove before a MINI stops feeling like a MINI? And how much has the brand been carrying simply out of habit? The fact that those questions were even being asked speaks to how effective the concepts were. Reimagining JCW Zooming out the Dues Ex Machina concepts were also a rethink of the JCW aesthetic. We explored that angle in MINI Deus Ex Machina Performance Concept. Rethinking JCW Without History. Freed from John Cooper Works conventions, the concept leaned into stance, aggression, and modernity rather than heritage cues. Some readers embraced the freedom. Others pushed back hard. That split reaction was likely what MINI was looking for. They clearly weren’t playing it safe and the intention was to be provocative. Why These Concepts Matter Now What made Deus Ex Machina resonate in 2025 was timing. MINI is navigating electrification, platform consolidation, and a shifting regulatory landscape. In that context, these concepts felt less like fantasy and more like a necessary reset. But what isn’t talked about enough is emotion. MINI is an emotional brand and threat concepts brought that to the forefront with an evocative design language that we’ve never seen before. We connected those dots in What MINI’s Deus Ex Machina Concepts Tell Us About the Brand’s Future. The value of the program was not in predicting exact production outcomes, but in revealing priorities. Proportion over decoration. Stance over ornament. Simplicity over clutter. These are ideas that scale. They can be dialed up or down and applied when the moment is right and they may just form the basis for new JCW models. Why the Reaction Was So Strong Concept cars often come and go with little lasting impact. Deus Ex Machina feel different. They sparked debate because it felt honest. MINI was not chasing a safe version of itself. It was exploring what the brand could become if it stopped mimicking the past and began rethinking it. That is why these stories performed the way they did. Readers were not just looking at cars. They were engaging in a broader conversation about relevance, restraint, and what MINI should stand for in its next era. In the end, the Deus Ex Machina concepts succeeded for the same reason the best concepts always do. They challenged, inspired and ultimately made people care. The post 2025 Rewind – The Radical Deus Ex Machina MINI Concepts appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Join us over the next week as we look back at some of the biggest stories of our year – starting with the past imagining the future. One of the subjects that resonated most with our readers in 2025 wasn’t current or even future MINIs, but concepts from years, and in some cases decades, ago. So we wanted to step back and look at those stories that reveal just how central concept cars remain to MINI’s identity and to the questions enthusiasts are asking right now. The Backbone of the Conversation At the center of nearly every concept-related discussion in 2025 was our story The Complete History of MINI Concept Cars. 1995 to Present. What stood out wasn’t just the amount of clicks it got but the repeat visits we saw. It became a reference point. A way to connect decades of experimentation and understand how MINI uses concept cars less as styling exercises and more as strategic signals. That story quietly underpinned nearly every other concept piece we published this year. Rethinking the 1990s as a Turning Point Let’s start a true beginning of the new MINI – How Rover’s Futuristic Spiritual Concepts Nearly Rewrote MINI History. The article challenged the assumption that the 1990s were a creative dead end for MINI. Instead, it revealed a moment when the brand nearly took a radically different path. One defined by extreme minimalism, engineering purity, and efficiency above emotion. It was a future that made sense technically, but ultimately gave way to a more emotional, premium-led revival under BMW. The response made it clear that readers were just as interested in the roads MINI did not take as the ones it ultimately chose. The Concept That Set the Tone That alternate timeline flowed naturally out deep dive into a critical 90’s concept: The MINI ACV 30. A Look Back at MINI’s Most Wild Concept. ACV 30 continues to stand apart because it achieved exactly what a concept car is supposed to do. It convinced decision-makers. It established confidence. And it directly shaped the car that ultimately saved the brand. In hindsight, it reads less like a wild experiment and more like a perfectly timed intervention. When MINI Was Right Too Early Design-led passion reached a peak with the renewed focus on Rocketman and Superleggera. Our video – The MINI Rocketman Story. From Its Unlikely Origins to a Possible Future reignited interest in one of MINI’s most beloved modern concepts. Rocketman anticipated downsizing, electrification, and urban efficiency long before those ideas became mainstream. That conversation deepened further with The MINI Rocketman Story. How It Could Be Reborn, which explored why the concept feels more relevant now than when it first appeared. Readers responded to the idea that Rocketman was not a missed moment, but a delayed one. Alongside Rocketman, The Secret MINI Superleggera Prototype and How It Almost Went Into Production reinforced a familiar theme. MINI has often been right too early. The ideas were sound. The execution was viable. The timing was not. Rediscovering the Forgotten Ideas Even concepts once treated as curiosities found new relevance. The article – Forgotten JCW Concept. MINI Clubman Vision Gran Turismo surprised many readers with how forward-looking it now appears. What once seemed like a digital fantasy reads today as an early exploration of performance branding, aggressive design language, and capability that later became central to MINI’s identity. In hindsight, it feels less forgotten and more prematurely dismissed. But one historical concept story stood above all others. The single biggest concept car story of 2025 was MINI Superleggera Approved. The Electric Roadster That Never Reached Production. The revelation that the Superleggera was not just admired internally, but formally approved, reframed the car entirely. It was no longer a beautiful what-if. It became a genuine road not taken. Reader reaction was immediate and emotional (if not a bit frustrated). That interest deepened with our video The MINI Superleggera. How MINI’s Most Beautiful Car Almost Went Into Production, which added firsthand insight and visual clarity to a story that continues to resonate. You can read more in MotoringFile’s concept section https://www.motoringfile.com/section/design/mini-concept-cars The post 2025 Rewind: Looking Back at MINI’s History of Concept Cars appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

For a North America based site like MotoringFile, time behind the wheel of the new J01 electric MINI Cooper has been frustratingly limited. And until recently, the electric JCW variant had remained completely out of reach. That changed when one of our European contributors spent several hours driving both the electric J01 JCW and the petrol powered F66 JCW back to back. The result was a rare opportunity to experience MINI’s two performance flagships side by side. Same badge. Same intent. Very different execution. Here’s what we learned. Electric JCW vs Petrol JCW (F66) If you step straight out of the petrol powered F66 JCW and into the electric J01, the contrast is immediate. The petrol car feels alive in a way that builds with revs, noise, and mechanical interaction. The electric JCW does not build anything. It simply goes hard from the moment you hit the pedal. What’s really interesting is that many of us have complained about the new F66 JCW losing some of its soul. But back-to-back with the J01 JCW, there’s plenty of character, and in fact, that’s the first thing you notice between the two. Beyond how quick the J01 feels off the line. Acceleration is instant and forceful, especially at lower and mid range speeds. Around town and on short stretches of road, it feels quicker than the F66 because there is no waiting. No downshifts. No hesitation. You squeeze the throttle and the car responds immediately. What you lose is escalation. The petrol JCW eggs you on. The electric JCW delivers its best work early and then maintains it. It is effective, but flatter in character. You are aware that you are moving very quickly, but the sensory drama is muted by comparison. Managing the Weight The electric JCW carries real mass, and you feel it before you see it on a spec sheet. MINI has done an impressive job hiding that weight most of the time, but when you’re pushing the J01 it never disappears entirely. Turn in is sharp and confident. The front end bites well and there is plenty of grip, especially on smooth roads. The car feels planted and secure, and at normal fast road speeds it comes across as very composed. Steering is quick and accurate, though lighter on feedback than past JCWs. Push harder and the weight starts to assert itself. Heavy braking zones and rapid direction changes reveal that this is not a playful car in the traditional MINI sense. It grips hard and stays disciplined, but it does not dance. Compared to the F66, which feels eager to rotate and adjust mid corner, the electric JCW prefers clean, committed inputs. Real World Range Driven normally, the electric JCW indicated a realistic range of roughly 180 to 200 miles. However as I learned into the throttle more and more and the range dropped quickly. This is not surprising given the car’s character. It invites frequent bursts of acceleration, and those moments come at a cost. Officially, the electric MINI Cooper JCW J01 is rated for up to roughly 250 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, a figure that looks respectable on paper but quickly reveals its optimism in real use. The JCW’s performance focus and wider tires take a toll on efficiency, and driven normally it is clear the usable range sits well below the headline number. Charging speeds are solid rather than standout, with DC fast charging peaking around 95 kW, allowing a 10 to 80 percent charge in roughly 30 minutes under ideal conditions. That makes quick top ups easy enough, but it reinforces the sense that this JCW is designed for shorter, high impact drives rather than long distance touring. Does It Feel Like a Real JCW? This is the question that matters most, and the answer depends on what you value in a JCW. In terms of intent, the electric JCW absolutely earns its badge. It is quick, focused, and feels engineered rather than merely upgraded. The suspension, brakes, and overall tuning clearly go beyond the standard electric Cooper. Emotionally, it is a different experience. Without an engine or gearbox, much of the interaction is filtered through speed and grip rather than sound and mechanical feedback. The synthetic sound adds some theatre, but it never fully replaces the connection you get from a petrol JCW working hard. The result is a JCW that feels as if its matured a bit. One that feels more serious and more controlled while being even more point and shoot in its performance output. Less mischievous. Less raw. More grown up. Final Thoughts While I only had a few hours behind the wheel I came away with the distinct feeling that the electric MINI Cooper JCW J01 feels less like a replacement for the petrol JCW and more like a parallel interpretation. It delivers real performance, impressive chassis tuning, and everyday usability, but it does so in a calmer, more composed way. For drivers coming from other performance EVs, this will feel engaging, distinctive, and properly quick. For long time JCW fans, especially those who love the character of the F66, F56, and earlier generations, the electric JCW will feel familiar in shape and intent but different in soul. This is JCW translated into a new language. Whether that feels like progress or compromise will depend on how much you value noise, drama, and mechanical involvement versus immediacy, control and effortless electric performance. The post Driven: The Electric MINI Cooper JCW J01 vs Petrol F66 JCW appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

With federal EV tax credits gone in the US, the electric vehicle market is entering a more uncertain and more telling phase. Incentives that once helped normalize higher EV pricing are disappearing, forcing brands and buyers alike to reassess value, demand, and long term commitment to electrification. For MINI USA, that transition is arriving at a particularly pivotal moment. Perhaps biggest change (other than pricing) is how MINI is stocking the Countryman SE for the US market. MotoringFile has confirmed that MINI USA is no longer building the Countryman SE for dealer stock. Going forward, new Countryman SEs will only be produced if a customer places a specific order. That effectively transforms MINI’s most important electric model in the US into a build to order vehicle, dramatically reducing on lot availability and making spontaneous showroom purchases increasingly unlikely. For many dealers, remaining inventory will likely be the last chance for walk in buyers to drive one home without a wait. This shift has meaningful implications. Limited dealer inventory reduces visibility, test drive opportunities, and casual consideration, all factors that have historically helped drive EV adoption. At the same time, the loss of federal tax credits removes a key financial incentive that previously helped offset the Countryman SE’s higher upfront cost compared to internal combustion alternatives. Together, those forces could dampen short term sales even if underlying interest remains. From MINI’s perspective, the move suggests a more cautious and disciplined approach to EV volume in the US. Rather than pushing cars into dealer lots amid softening demand and fewer incentives, MINI appears to be aligning production directly with confirmed buyers. That strategy reduces risk but also places more responsibility on marketing, education, and the ordering process itself. The broader question is what this signals for EV adoption more generally. As incentives fade and supply becomes more selective, EVs may increasingly appeal to intentional buyers rather than curious ones. For the Countryman SE, the next chapter in the US will be defined less by incentives and inventory and more by how compelling the product is on its own merits in a market that is no longer being nudged by policy. The post MINI USA to Build Countryman SE Only for Customer Orders as EV Incentives Fade appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

After years of waiting, MINI drivers can now access North American Charging Standard (NACS)–equipped charging stations, including Tesla Superchargers. But how does it all work? Let’s take a look. As you can see the video below, it’s all quite easy. The first part is getting an approved NACS DC charging adapter. BMW and MINI recommends the Lectron Vortex Plus DC adapter for use with BMW vehicles. You can purchase this adapter from Lectron here: https://www.ev-lectron.com/MINI MINI’s NACS to CCS adapter The Lectron Vortex Plus NACS to CCS adapter for MINI is a purpose-built plug that lets MINI EV owners connect their car’s CCS charging port to Tesla Superchargers across North America, unlocking fast DC charging at over 25,000 locations. Engineered with a MINI-approved interlock system and UL 2252 certification for safe high-power charging, it’s rated up to 500 A and 1,000 V (500 kW), giving you the ability to add up to 150 miles of range in about 15 minutes depending on charger and vehicle conditions. Because it’s designed specifically for MINI, it ensures a secure connection without extra steps; you simply plug the Supercharger into the adapter and then into your MINI, with charging initiating through plug-and-charge or your MINI app. A Massive Increase in Charging Network Tesla opening its Supercharger network to BMW and MINI marks a significant shift in the EV ownership experience, instantly expanding the practical charging footprint available to drivers. For BMW and MINI owners, it means access to one of the largest, most reliable fast-charging networks in North America, dramatically reducing range anxiety and making long-distance travel simpler and more predictable. Tesla’s network is known not just for scale but for uptime, ease of use, and consistent charging speeds, areas where public charging has often lagged. By tapping into this infrastructure through NACS adapters and future native support, BMW and MINI effectively leapfrog years of incremental charging build-out, giving customers thousands of additional high-power chargers overnight and accelerating EV adoption by removing one of the biggest remaining barriers to ownership. Related Stories: The post How to Charge your MINI Countryman SE at Tesla Superchargers appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

The EU has effectively walked back its planned 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine sales, a cornerstone assumption behind MINI’s push toward an all electric lineup by 2030. With regulators now allowing multiple paths to hit emissions targets, the future just got a lot more flexible. What does that mean for MINI? More choice, more time, and far fewer hard deadlines driven by politics instead of customers. Here’s how. Under newly negotiated proposals, manufacturers will instead be required to cut CO2 emissions by 90 per cent compared with 2021 levels by 2035. That leaves room not just for battery electric vehicles but for plug–in hybrids, synthetic fuels and pure petrol or diesel engines to continue on sale in Europe beyond the end of the decade. This policy reversal reflects intense pressure from major EU car producing nations and industry lobbyists who argued the original mandate was unrealistic given current demand patterns, charging infrastructure gaps and global competition from Chinese EV makers. Under the new framework, vehicles with internal combustion engines will still count toward fleet targets so long as overall emissions are contained, with credits available for things like biofuels and low carbon steel. BMW & MINI’s Strategy Suddenly Looks Ahead of Its Time For BMW Group, this represents a validation of a strategy quietly in motion years ago. BMW’s power of choice strategy is built around flexibility rather than dogma, giving customers multiple paths forward instead of forcing a single solution. Rather than betting the company on one technology or one regulatory outcome, BMW has structured its product portfolio (including MINI’s) allowing combustion and fully electric offerings in parallel. This allows the brand to respond to regional regulations, infrastructure readiness and real world customer demand while continuing to reduce fleet emissions. The approach also preserves engineering know how in combustion and hybrid systems, supports investment in next generation EV architectures like Neue Klasse, and keeps BMW and MINI resilient in a market where political timelines and consumer adoption rarely move in lockstep. At the time, some saw that as hedging, others as realism. Today’s policy shift makes it clear BMW’s view was not just cautious but prescient. What it Might Mean for Future MINIs MINI’s future has been a subject of intense debate since the brand briefly flirted with an all-electric identity by 2030. Previously, MINI had signaled it would end combustion models by 2030. More recently MINI has walked that back saying that the future was more uncertain. This move solidifies that. With the EU’s 2035 ban effectively diluted, MINI now has far greater flexibility in how it approaches its next generation of cars. Rather than being forced down an exclusively electric path by regulation, MINI can make product decisions based as much on customer demand, as regulations. That means two could see the following: Combustion Cooper models could persist in Europe alongside electrified variants well into the 2030s Plug-in hybrids could become a core part of MINI’s portfolio, giving performance fans range confidence without pure EV compromises Future combustion engines could eventually be optimized for synthetic fuels and biofuel compatibility, keeping tailpipe CO2 in check This regulatory certainty removes one of the biggest strategic overhangs for MINI’s product planners. Instead of having to chase a politically driven deadline, MINI can evolve its range with a clear view of where customers actually want to go. A New Era of Choice Critics of the original 2035 ban argued it risked alienating buyers who were not ready or able to switch to EVs, particularly in rural areas or smaller markets where charging infrastructure is sparse. Supporters of the reversal say the new plan balances decarbonisation goals with technological diversity and consumer adaptability. From BMW’s perspective, having a flexible, multi-powertrain strategy was always about managing risk and preserving capability in an uncertain future. Now the regulatory backdrop matches that industrial reality. For MINI, a brand built on personality, fun and accessibility, keeping combustion engines in play means its products can continue to resonate with a broader range of buyers while the transition to electrification plays out at its own pace. Europe may still be on a path to dramatically lower emissions, but the route looks less absolute and more nuanced than it did a few months ago. For BMW and MINI, that could be the best news of all. The post EU Drops 2035 ICE Ban: How It Might Affect Future MINIs appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI’s interior material strategy has just received one of the highest validations possible from the industry. The brand’s knitted interior textile has been named the overall winner of the SPE Automotive Award 2025, also taking the Grand Award in the Body Interior category. It is one of the most prestigious honors in the plastics industry, with the Grand Award reserved for the single best submission across all categories. That recognition matters because it is not about styling or trend chasing. It is about material innovation. And at the center of it is textile. Across the current MINI generation, knitted fabric has moved from accent to architecture. Dashboards, door panels, and center consoles are now defined by a purpose built knit that is designed to be seen, touched, and used every day. This is not fabric applied for effect. It is a structural interior material developed specifically for automotive use, balancing durability, sustainability, and design expression. As we have covered over the last two years, this shift has prompted real questions from MINI owners. How will textile surfaces wear over time. How easy are they to clean. Do fabrics belong in areas traditionally dominated by leather and soft touch plastics. Those concerns are understandable, particularly for a brand whose cars are often daily driven and kept for the long term. While early experiences are promising, we won’t know how well the new material holds up long-term for a few more years. What tends to get lost in that conversation is how engineered this material actually is. MINI’s knit is abrasion resistant, structurally reinforced, and largely made from recycled polyester, significantly reducing CO2e emissions and water consumption compared to primary materials. It is also completely leather free, aligning with MINI’s broader sustainability goals without sacrificing tactile quality. Vescin, MINI’s high quality faux leather used in seating and select touch points, plays a supporting role. It provides familiarity where needed. But the defining material of MINI’s latest interiors, and the one now validated at the highest level, is textile. And now we’re seeing validation of the strategy in the form of an industry award. What do you think? Has MINI made the right move in innovating in this area or should they have stayed with more traditional interior materials? The post MINI’s Recycled Knit Interior is Now Award Winning Despite Early Criticism appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

Over the last few years, MINI has quietly transformed how features are delivered, activated, and paid for. What once came bundled at purchase is now increasingly handled through software, digital services, and subscriptions that live inside MINI Connected. It is a shift that mirrors the wider industry, but it raises an important question for owners and prospective buyers alike. What are you really paying for, and is any of it worth it? In our latest video we walk through MINI’s current digital subscription offerings in detail. Not just what they are, but how they work in the real world, how much they cost, and where the value actually lands depending on how you use your car. If you have been confused by MINI’s digital offerings, wondering what happens when trials end, or questioning whether to tap the subscribe button at all, this video is for you. The post MINI’s Digital Subscriptions Explained: What You Actually Get and If They’re Worth Paying For appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article

MINI has begun rolling out a major software update for the electric Countryman SE that has the chance to radically change how owners charge their cars for owners in North America. Beyond the new charging flexibility, MINI is also updating apps, navigation while charging, and refinements to MINI OS 9. Here are the details. Tesla Supercharger Access Comes to the Countryman SE The headline feature for North American owners is official support for the North American Charging Standard, or NACS. With this update, the electric Countryman SE can now charge at stations equipped with NACS, including Tesla Superchargers, using an approved adapter. Once the adapter is purchased and set up in the MINI app, NACS charging locations appear directly within the vehicle’s navigation system and app based search. MINI is positioning this as a seamless extension of the existing charging experience rather than a separate workaround. Adapter availability details are expected to be communicated through the MINI app and email. For U.S. and Canadian owners, this significantly expands fast charging access and improves real world usability, especially in regions where CCS infrastructure remains inconsistent. Smarter Charging Breaks and Better Navigation Context MINI has also improved how the Countryman SE handles charging stops within navigation. A new Charging POI Nearby filter allows drivers to select charging stations based on what is around them, such as cafes, grocery stores, restaurants, or restrooms. This is a subtle but important shift in how MINI is thinking about EV ownership. Charging stops are no longer treated as dead time. The system now actively helps drivers make better use of those breaks based on personal preference. The navigation interface itself has been refined with clearer presentation and easier access to nearby amenities while charging. In Car Streaming Expands With Disney Plus The update also adds Disney Plus to the MINI Connected Store, allowing in car streaming directly on the circular OLED display. This feature requires the MINI Connected Package and an active Disney Plus subscription. It is designed for use while parked or charging and further reinforces MINI’s strategy of making the cabin a more livable space during downtime. It also aligns closely with the new charging nearby features, turning charging stops into something closer to a pause than an interruption. MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant Gets New Voices MINI’s Intelligent Personal Assistant has been updated with two new voice options, giving drivers the choice between a male or female voice. Setup is handled through the Personal Assistant menu or via the microphone button, after which the system responds as normal to the Hey MINI wake command. MINI notes that a required language package will download automatically following the update. While this is not a transformational change, it improves personalization and response accuracy and continues MINI’s steady refinement of OS 9. A Clear Signal of MINI’s Software First Approach Taken as a whole, this update reinforces MINI’s shift toward treating vehicles like evolving platforms rather than static products. The improvements are practical, owner focused, and delivered quietly through software rather than model year changes. For North American Countryman SE owners, Tesla Supercharger access via NACS is the most significant takeaway. It materially improves ownership and lowers one of the biggest friction points in EV adoption. Combined with smarter charging navigation, expanded in car apps, and continued OS 9 refinement, this update makes the electric Countryman easier and more enjoyable to live with. The post Tesla Supercharger Access Comes to the Electric MINI Countryman SE appeared first on MotoringFile. View the full article