This article explores the evolution of the Mini brand, from its classic go-kart-like fun to its modern reincarnation as an electric vehicle. The author reflects on his personal experiences with Minis, drawing parallels between the brand's journey and his own life experiences.
I like Minis not just because they are generally fun to drive, with their lively and energetic nature that often feels like you're driving an upsized go-kart. You see, apparently, my late dad owned three classic Minis during his lifetime. This was well before I was born, so I have no physical evidence of this, aside from the stories my parents would occasionally recount to me when I was younger.
I've obviously never sat in any of my dad's Minis, because they were long gone by the time I came around. But I've driven many modern Minis in the course of my career as an automotive journalist, and I've realised that, fittingly, Minis have often been intertwined with many milestone moments I've had with my dad.The modern day Mini was 'reinvented' in 2000 under their current owners, the BMW Group. Since then, it has undergone four generations of evolution, including the latest one which was launched in 2024. Along the way, the Mini range has grown significantly, and it now encompasses several models in its lineup, including an SUV-like model called the Countryman which has become one of Mini's best-selling products. Some purists decry that Minis are no longer 'mini' in size, and have therefore lost the essence of what defined the brand. But even though new Minis are much bigger than the cars from my dad's era, they at least try to retain the same fun-to-drive factor that make them so well-loved. The latest version takes that transformation a step further, and for the first time, both the regular Mini Cooper hatchback and the Countryman SUV are designed to be electric vehicles (EVs) from the ground up. It's hard to imagine what classic Mini fans like my dad would have made of that, but just like how you become more conscious about the environment as you grow older, so has Mini.I can't remember exactly which was the first Mini I drove, but it must have been a second-gen Cooper hatchback of some sort, and I do recall that I had lots of fun driving it. Since then, as I've mentioned earlier, I've driven lots of modern Minis, in all sorts of variations. Some were more memorable than others, but they often displayed the same basic characteristics consistently throughout. A Mini Cooper hatchback feels light on its feet, and possesses an excitable nature that makes it feel like you're playing with a puppy. Some of the more powerful ones, like the John Cooper Works (JCW) editions, did feel like piloting a go-kart, but even the lesser-powered versions were extremely delightful to drive. An electric Mini changes the equation significantly, and yet somehow it feels appropriate for this application. The zippy acceleration from the instant torque certainly is a good match for the Mini's lively nature, even though in this current form it is not actually very powerful. And while the car is no longer what you would call lightweight thanks to the electric battery onboard, the car's compact dimensions means that it remains nimble and agile enough to dart in and out of traffic with ease.The Countryman, meanwhile, is positioned as a larger Mini meant for families. It was first launched in 2010, which incidentally was just shortly before I started working full time. I also remember test driving my first Countryman, and my most vivid memory was how big it was. I had parked it beside an MPV in the office carpark, and was somewhat shocked that both cars were of the same size. Despite that, a Countryman still tried to retain the same fun-to-drive nature of regular Minis. A bigger car will obviously feel different, of course, but within those parameters there are still things you can do to liven things up, like a peppy engine or sporty suspension setup. Having said that, it's only a natural part of life that we all have to grow up eventually, and the Countryman is perhaps the best embodiment of that in the Mini brand. The fact that the latest Countryman is a lot bigger than even its first iteration certainly points towards that direction. While the new Countryman is certainly not a small car, what you get in return though is something that's very spacious and practical. It also features all-wheel-drive, which provides a sense of safety and security while driving in tricky conditions, much like how a father looks after his family in tough times. The fact that the new Countryman is an EV as well points towards its growing sensibility, with an eye on the future. It almost feels like the Countryman signifies Mini's tipping point, where it has transitioned from playful young kid to mature adult. As much as we want to stay single and party forever like the cheeky Mini of the past, at some point we do have to recognise that there is a time to move along onto our next phase in life.That said, it's not like the new Minis have completely shed their inherent fun-loving personalities, just like how we are still ourselves even as we grow older (or bigger)
MINI Electric Vehicles Automotive Evolution Mini Cooper Countryman Go-Kart Fun Sustainability
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The new Mini Cooper and Countryman shows us that we all have to grow up some dayI love Minis. I like Minis not just because they are generally fun to drive, with their lively and energetic nature that often feels like you're driving an upsized go-kart. For me though, Minis also have a deeper personal connection that occupy a special place in my heart. You see, apparently, my late dad owned three classic Minis during his...
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