Mini Cooper Betrays Its Principles After 66 Years and Switches to Rear-Wheel Drive

After 66 years of unwavering loyalty to front-wheel drive, Mini Cooper is about to break its most sacred rule. A new report reveals the next-generation electric Cooper could adopt rear-wheel drive for the first time since its 1959 debut — a radical shift that sends mixed signals to the British brand's loyal fanbase.

Why is Mini abandoning front-wheel drive?

The company, which changed ownership three times before landing under BMW's umbrella in 2000, now appears ready to embrace an entirely new philosophy. According to a report by Autocar, the next-generation Cooper electric will be built on BMW's Gen 6 platform, the same architecture currently powering the iX3 and i3 models.

The change isn't limited to the EV version. The same source suggests the petrol variant could follow suit, especially with BMW planning to return the 1 Series to rear-wheel drive by 2028. Since the 1 Series shares the same technical base as the new Mini, the transition looks almost inevitable.

Official comment from BMW

Joachim Post, BMW's head of development, didn't rule it out. He openly stated that Mini Cooper might follow the rear-wheel-drive 1 Series, adding that the brand will choose the "best option" and that "absolute driving pleasure" remains the top priority. A statement that carries clear intent for a radical change in the car's character.

What does this mean for driving dynamics?

Switching to rear-wheel drive transforms the car's personality entirely. The current Gen 6 platform doesn't support all-wheel drive, with larger motors mounted on the rear axle equipped with gearboxes, while smaller front motors go without. This layout delivers completely different dynamics — sharper cornering and more aggressive acceleration.

The gap between generations will be significant. The new petrol variant will be a heavily improved version of the previous generation, while the electric version rides on a more modern platform. One question remains: will Mini enthusiasts accept this change? Only time will tell.