Mini Cooper 2024: facelifted petrol-powered small hatchback revealed

Olek Novak

Journalist

The ICE-variants of the small hatchback will mirror the exterior and interior design of the electric

Mini has revealed its final petrol-powered Cooper hatchback, with the facelifted model to go on sale in Australia later this year alongside its electric counterparts.

Local pricing and specifications have yet to be announced for the small hatch, which will debut a newly updated exterior and fresh interior when it hits Aussie roads in the third quarter of this year, ensuring the petrol variants of the Mini will be almost indiscernible from the electric variants.

The facelifted petrol-powered Mini Cooper will go on sale in Australia from the third quarter of this year

While EV and petrol variants will look alike, this newly revealed petrol variant is essentially a facelift of the decade-old and current third-generation Cooper, unlike the all-new EV which sits on a different platform developed and built in China in collaboration with GWM.

The three-door hatch, which is Mini’s highest selling model – delivering 2011 vehicles locally in 2023 – will be available in Cooper C and more powerful Cooper S variants, with a choice of two petrol engines with either three or four cylinders.

The 1.5-litre inline-three cylinder turbo-petrol powered Cooper C delivers 115kW/230Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.7-seconds.

There will be a choice of two petrol-powered engines available, at least initially

Meanwhile, the more-powerful 2.0-litre inline-four cylinder turbo-petrol Cooper S delivers 150kW/300Nm and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.6 seconds.

What’s new on the updated Cooper hatch?

The petrol-powered Cooper hatch’s exterior sports updated exterior design elements including a revised front bumper, grille and new rear lights – all mirroring the electric, although trainspotters will be able to note that the petrol version retains traditional door handles as opposed to the electric’s streamlined versions.

Mini Cooper Electric 2024 front three quarter blue — The Mini Cooper Electric (pictured) looks almost identical to its petrol counterpart

Inside, a substantial interior update also brings the vehicle in line with the electric’s minimalist interior. It features a new round OLED touchscreen media display, which has been shifted closer to the driver and incorporates the latest Mini Operating System 9, new steering wheel, and an updated toggle bar for controls including the park brake, gear selector, start/stop key, and volume.

Moving the gear selector to the centre console has also enabled space for a new wireless phone charger where smartphones can be housed.

The interior of the petrol Mini Cooper has undergone a substantial redesign in line with the electric

In terms of other features, Mini has spruiked its ‘Experience Mode’ features, which enable cabin personalisation as well as its Mini Intelligent Personal Assistant, which occupants can use to control navigation, smartphone connection and entertainment functions.

Highlighted safety and convenience features include a safe exit function, which comes as standard, as well as optional Driving Assistance Plus and navigation packages.

The petrol Cooper hatch will mirror the looks of the electric version

Mini also quotes 210-litres of boot space but says that this can be bumped up to 800-litres when the rear seats – which split 60:40 – are folded down.

Four trims will be available for the Cooper C and S including Essential, Classic, Favoured and JCW, with different body paint and interior combinations depending on the variant.

Five-door and convertible variants are expected to follow.