Don't Panic: Mini Isn't Scrapping Front-Wheel-Drive!

The new electric Mini Cooper (photo: BMW)

I have been rather astonished at the flood of articles from otherwise respectable media outlets claiming next-generation Minis might abandon their traditional FWD setup for RWD. The rationale is that BMW's upcoming Neue Klasse platform is set up for one, two, three, or four motors--but only RWD or AWD configurations.

Here's the problem: it (largely) doesn't matter. The new Mini Cooper and Aceman EVs aren't based on BMW platforms; they are using hardware from China's Great Wall, as part of the Spotlight joint venture agreed to in 2018. The reviews for these products appear to be fairly positive, so there's no obvious motivation for BMW to pull out of this agreement. Yes, they are built in China, but BMW has talked about building them in the UK--and although that may not be part of the plan, it's still possible.

The outlier here is the Countryman, which shares its platform and powertrain with the BMW X1--so, if the next X1 goes RWD, so does the Countryman. But, just as many BMW buyers didn't care when that brand switched its entry-level vehicles to FWD, I don't think this will be a problem for buyers of the larger, pricier, SUV that's perhaps not as purely 'Mini' as the rest of the portfolio.

So, if (like me) you're a Mini enthusiast, don't get your knickers in a twist. There is hope for the future...