BMW’s Gen6 EV Architecture Could be A Quantum Leap for MINI

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Yesterday we talked about why a rear wheel drive MINI may not be such a bad thing. Today we’re going in-depth on BMW’s Gen6 EV Architecture that powers it and why it could be a quantum leap for MINI.

Set to debut later this year in the MW iX3, Gen6 (as BMW calls it) has the ability to not just increase performance, range and charging speeds. It will also make the brand’s EVs cheaper to produce while allowing engineers more freedom to create additional nuance in the driving experience. But what makes it special and how when will we see it in MINIs? Let’s break it down.

A New Era: Cylindrical Cells & Cell-to-Pack Design

The biggest shift from Gen5 to Gen6 is BMW’s move from prismatic to cylindrical cells—a strategy that mirrors Tesla’s approach. The new cells have a 46mm diameter and come in two heights: 95mm and 120mm.

Why does this matter? Because this Cell-to-Pack (CTP) design eliminates the old modular structure, allowing the battery cells to be integrated directly into the pack. The result? A lighter, more compact, and more efficient battery with improved thermal management. In plain terms, it’s a leaner, meaner energy storage system that maximizes every millimeter of space.

(really) Fast Charging: 800V System & Lightning-Fast Speeds

BMW’s Gen6 battery architecture is built around an 800V charging system but remains backward-compatible with 400V. This flexibility allows it to adapt to different global charging infrastructures.

The numbers? 300 km (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes. That’s a 30% improvement over Gen5, making range anxiety a thing of the past.

Lighter, Cheaper, and Smarter: Cost & Weight Reduction

BMW claims that the Gen6 battery is significantly lighter while offering 40-50% lower manufacturing costs than its predecessor. Weight reduction improves driving dynamics, and lower production costs will (hopefully) trickle down to more competitive pricing for consumers.

What’s the magic behind this cost reduction? Improved materials efficiency, streamlined production, and a smarter energy management system.

Sustainability First: Smarter Chemistry, Fewer Rare Earths

BMW has taken significant steps to make Gen6 batteries more sustainable. The new cells feature:

• Increased nickel content for better energy density

• Reduced cobalt usage to lessen environmental impact

• Advanced silicon integration for improved energy efficiency

Additionally, BMW’s new motors reduce reliance on rare-earth materials. The front axle features an ASM (asynchronous motor) for a cost-effective secondary drive unit, while the rear axle uses an ESM (externally excited synchronous motor) for improved power delivery and efficiency.

BMW Energy Master: The Brain Behind the Battery

Sitting neatly under the rear seats, the “Energy Master” is an intelligent energy management unit that governs battery diagnostics, charging, and safety. It ensures optimal battery longevity and allows for quick replacement—a major advantage in repairability.

Additionally, the battery pack itself forms part of the car’s structural floor, maintaining BMW’s high safety standards while optimizing weight distribution.

Performance Upgrades: More Power, More Efficiency

The Gen6 battery system doesn’t just improve range—it boosts performance. BMW has introduced:

• Silicon carbide chips in inverters for better efficiency

• Optimized bearings and gears to reduce energy losses

• Advanced cooling systems to keep everything running smoothly under load

But the numbers speak for themselves.

Feature	Gen6 Upgrade
Charging Speed	30% faster (300 km in 10 min)
Range	Up to 900 km (559 miles) WLTP
Voltage	400V & 800V
Efficiency	20% improvement, 40% lower drive losses
Cost	40-50% cheaper to produce
Power	161 hp – 650 hp (120 kW – 485 kW), up to 1,100 Nm torque
Cooling System	Oil-water hybrid cooling for thermal efficiency

With power outputs ranging starting at , it’s easy to see how an entry level Countryman could be accommodated. And the power just goes up from there. While we don’t expect MINI to get their hands on the 485 kW (650 hp) version of the Gen6 architecture, we’d expect to see power and torque up noticeably.

Rear Wheel Drive MINIs Are Coming

If you missed last week’s initial report and yesterday’s in-depth article, let’s briefly bring you up to speed. BMW is consolidating all future electric vehicles onto a single platform (Neue Klasse) and a unified battery architecture (Gen6). Since it’s designed to serve MINIs, BMWs, and even Rolls-Royces, it has been engineered to accommodate a wide range of vehicles. However, one aspect that won’t necessarily be accommodating to MINIs is its drivetrain layout.

The Gen6 architecture is rear-wheel-drive biased because the chassis and battery have been primarily designed for a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup. While most high-performance BMW and Rolls-Royce models will feature all-wheel drive (thanks to a smaller front-mounted motor), the architecture itself isn‘t intended to support a front-wheel-drive-only configuration. This means base-model MINIs could be rear-wheel drive, while S and JCW variants may adopt a rear-biased all-wheel-drive layout.

Although nothing is confirmed, this layout seems likely for the next-generation electric Countryman, due later this decade. However, it remains unclear what MINI will do with the next-generation electric Cooper and Aceman, as it’s uncertain whether the Neue Klasse platform can accommodate smaller vehicles.

Our Take: Gen6 Is a Game-Changer For BMW & MINI

BMW’s Gen6 battery isn’t just an upgrade—it’s seismic shift for both BMW and MINI. With faster charging, longer range, lower costs, and smarter energy management, it could be a much needed tech advantage for MINI’s next generation EVs.

While MINI likely won’t see the 900 km range models, it will have the ability to elevate MINI’s EV offerings far beyond where they’re at today, while the 800V system ensures it stays future-proof. And by improving sustainability and reducing rare-earth materials, MINI is making sure that performance doesn’t come at the planet’s expense.

While we still need to see real-world performance and degradation over time, on paper, Gen6 is a massive leap forward. If this technology makes its way into upcoming MINIs, it could mark a huge shift for the brand—bringing not just go-kart handling but also cutting-edge battery tech.

The post BMW’s Gen6 EV Architecture Could be A Quantum Leap for MINI appeared first on MotoringFile.

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