[Morris]

Due to some newly leaked interior shots, it looks like Mini will be doing away with an analog speedometer, and transitioning towards a digital display. Cant really get a sense of how visible it is through the steering wheel from this angle, but its good to see that they are updating the cabin.

 

[Coops]

This is long overdue imo, and I hope that they've refreshed the center console as well. I think it could have been better integrated into the dash though, as it looks kind of stuck on.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

Not a fan of how less retro the interior looks.

What Mini needs to do is take a page from Mercedes and incorporate that level of retroness, if not it could mean Mini buyers shift over to Mercedes, among all the other good reasons for making the shift.

 

[Tandy]

EV's are all about the latest technology, so I can understand why they are moving away from their traditional cabin styling. If they are any aspects where they should consider retro designs, its the exterior styling. That retrofitted mini classic is awesome.

 

[Morris]

I think the main obstacle that automakers will face with retro designs, is getting them to pass current safety standards. And to be honest I don't know how well it would appeal to the mass market, as the Mini is already a very niche product.

 

[Coops]

That doesn't seem to be the case with the upcoming VW I.D Buzz. I think its an excellent example of a modern take on a classic design, and I would imagine that its far more safe than the model its based on.

 

[Tandy]

I think there are way more fans of the classic Mini than the current generation models. And alike the Buzz, VW would have to modernize the design. I think the larger issue would be incorporating a battery into the much smaller chassis.

 

[Morris]

BMW is taking a very modular approach to their upcoming EV's, so that should make fitment less of a concern. I do think that odds are that the Mini EV will be lower on the spectrum of range however.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

We should expect to see even more from this. I believe Rolls Royce is launching a product that will use some BMW EV components.
It also makes BMW primed to partner up with a smaller car maker not under their umbrella.

 

[Coops]

The range of the Countryman PHEV is pretty terrible, especially considering the price hike it. Luckily BMW has some time to develop cheaper electrical components.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

It disappoints me that the industry still hasn't adopted supercapacitors, they could help out here and with EV's overall.

 

[Tandy]

That suggests that its not yet cost effective to do so. I have heard that some companies are currently developing liquid battery tech, which is said to provide a huge boost to efficiency.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

That suggests that its not yet cost effective to do so. I have heard that some companies are currently developing liquid battery tech, which is said to provide a huge boost to efficiency.

Looked into it and I like it a lot, especially the renewable part because eventually car makers and industries will get continued pressure from governments to use renewable sources.
Anything that helps the global warming issue is a long-term win in my books.

 

[NewMiniLondon]

I agree the guages/speedo needs to be digital but the interior of the current MINI is otherwise awesome