Exclusive: F66 MINI Cooper Production Extended with Multiple Refreshes Planned

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In what’s shaping up to be a longer lifecycle than anyone expected, sources tell MotoringFile that the F66 MINI Cooper will receive two refreshes before it goes out of production around 2032. We now have details on the LCI timeline and a clearer picture of how MINI intends to keep the Cooper fresh throughout its lifecycle.

Multiple Updates Planned

The F66, along with the F65 five-door and F67 convertible, is now shaping up to receive several key updates throughout its lifecycle to keep it both fresh and compliant with evolving regulations.

The first major round of updates will arrive for the 2027 model year, when MINI introduces drivetrain and emissions revisions across all combustion-powered models. These mechanical changes will prepare the F66 for the EU7 emissions standards, bringing refinements to the familiar B48 engine family. Expect improved efficiency, revised exhaust systems, and minor tuning updates designed to meet the stricter requirements while maintaining MINI’s character.

MINI Cooper 2028 LCI

The main Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) is currently planned for November 2028 and will serve as the model’s formal mid-cycle refresh. This will include design revisions to the front and rear bumpers, updated lighting signatures, and new wheel designs. The cabin will also see meaningful updates, including an upgraded infotainment system with a more advanced version of MINI Operating System 9, expanded connected features, and refined materials throughout.

MINI is expected to introduce new trim packages and color palettes as part of this LCI, creating fresh model variants without requiring major structural changes. The brand will also continue its shift toward sustainability, with increased use of recycled textiles, leather-free surfaces, and new color and trim combinations inspired by MINI’s latest electric models.

A Second LCI Planned

Finally, MINI is preparing a second, lighter refresh near the end of the F66’s run, likely around 2030. While it’s not expected to be as thorough as the 2028 LCI, this update will focus more subtle styling adjustments, new paint and wheel options along with interior refinements. It will be similar in scope to the F56’s second LCI in 2021, allowing MINI to keep the Cooper fresh as it approaches the end of its lifecycle.

Special editions will continue to play an important role in keeping interest high between these updates. Expect everything from JCW performance variants to heritage-inspired design editions, each adding new energy to the lineup as MINI balances tradition with gradual modernization.

Why MINI Is Extending the F66

The decision to keep the F66 in production until 2032 fits within BMW Group’s broader strategy of platform optimization and global market flexibility. With MINI’s transition to the Neue Klasse platform delayed until the early 2030s, the FAAR architecture that underpins the F66 remains a cost-effective and adaptable foundation for markets where petrol cars continue to dominate.

This also reflects a broader market reality. Demand for small internal combustion cars remains strong, particularly in regions where EV infrastructure is still developing. By extending the life of the F66, MINI ensures that it can continue to serve these customers while refining the next generation of electric Coopers and managing a gradual transition at Oxford to full EV production when the timing is right.

Our Take

The F66 may have begun as a bridge between MINI’s petrol and electric eras, but it has evolved into something far more important. With an LCI scheduled for 2028, a secondary refresh around 2030, and mechanical updates tied to EU7 regulations in 2027, the F66 is set to become one of the longest-running MINI generations ever built and the longest running BMW produce model ever.

This approach also aligns with BMW and MINI’s belief that combustion remains a permanent part of the business. Rather than rushing to replace the F66, MINI is investing in keeping it relevant and desirable deep into the next decade.

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