The heavily updated, petrol-powered Mini Hatch has been spied testing in snowy Sweden.

    The petrol variant will look different to the upcoming clean-sheet electric vehicle, with smaller headlights and a front grille allowing the ICE engine to breathe.

    Under the skin, it’s expected to ride on the same underpinnings as the current Mini 3- and 5-Door Hatch range, although its engines may be updated with 48V mild-hybrid technology to cut emissions.

    The petrol Hatch will continue to be produced in Oxford, United Kingdom.

    Mini has confirmed its all-new electric range will be built in China as part of its partnership with GWM, however.

    The Mini and Great Wall Motor-developed electric hatch will feature some changes to the headlights we’ve come to know from Mini, while the tail lights will see a new shape altogether.

    Previous spy photos have offered an undisguised look at the upcoming EV. The appears to feature a larger windscreen with a steeper rake and lift-up door handles. 

    The interior of the electric hatch will feature a minimalist dashboard including a fabric cover and a leatherette strap on the passenger’s side. 

    The digital driver’s display will be replaced by a head-up display, and will sit behind a two-spoke steering wheel. 

    Mini has stayed true to its design language in the interior, including a stand-alone infotainment cluster in the centre of the dashboard. 

    A line of physical knobs and switches sits underneath the touchscreen infotainment system. 

    It’s unclear at this stage if the electric variant will ride on a version of the FAAR platform currently used in the petrol-powered variant developed by BMW, or if GWM will supply the EV architecture. 

    The factory will also produce the Aceman, an SUV aimed at filling the gap between between the Hatch and upcoming, larger Countryman. 

    The Countryman and Countryman EV will be built alongside the BMW X1 in Leipzig, Germany. The Countryman will recieve a noticeable increase in size with Mini claiming it will measure closer to an Audi Q3 or BMW X1. 

    Jade Credentino

    Jade Credentino is an automotive journalist currently based in Melbourne, Australia. Jade has had a chance to review a variety of vehicles and particularly enjoys SUVs. She enjoys traveling and going on road trips exploring Australia.

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