New 2024 Mini Cooper EV exterior revealed

New images have been released of the upcoming 2024 Mini Cooper EV, presenting us with some key styling changes over the outgoing electric model.

Also new is where it will be built, that being China. Manufacturing of the electric hatch has been outsourced to Great Wall Motors which will build the car on its all-new platform called Spotlight EV.

Its internal combustion engine-powered sibling on the other hand will continue to be made in Oxford, Great Britain.

In terms of styling, its very obvious that the electric Cooper is a Mini considering it retains the large shouty mouth up front which is flanked by two circular headlights.

Mini has also done away with the chrome trim, clamshell bonnet and black plastic wheel arches found on the current generation model.

The roof has also been coloured white along with its wing mirrors which provides the iconic contrast from the main body colour the brand’s cars are recognised for.

Both the driver and passenger doors feature flush door handles which no doubt mitigate any drag.

At the back, a new set of triangular tail lights have evolved from the Union Jack-themed units found on the current crop of Minis, while the electric hatchback also rides on a set of busy-looking multi-spoke wheels.

Not much has been shown as far as the interior goes other than some spy shots which reveal the brand’s distinct central circular display and a lack of a driver gauge cluster, suggesting speed and other relevant information will be presented via a head-up display.

As for its new electric platform, the entry-level Cooper E variant is said to offer 135kW of power via a single electric motor mounted on the front axle which is powered by a 40kWh battery.

The SE will be given a larger 54kWh battery which sends power to a 160kW motor and will be capable of 386km of range.

The Mini Cooper EV is set to launch in May 2024 while the petrol-powered model will follow in July.