Did someone in Munich not get the memo and think today is opposite day? Because there’s a possibility the next generation of electric MINIs might be right wheel drive. On a MINI, that might as well be wrong wheel drive.
Mini’s parent company, BMW, is about to unveil the production version of the Neue Klasse concept, which will serve as the basis for its next generation of electric models across the brands under its umbrella. However, an interesting fact about this new platform is that single-motor versions must be rear-wheel drive – that’s BMW being BMW.
The new MINI Cooper electric and Aceman do stick with the marque’s traditional front-wheel drive layout, but those sit on a platform co-developed with Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motor. Moving forward, next-generation MINIs should all be underpinned by the aforementioned Neue Klasse platform. Do you see where we’re going with this?
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As Autocar reports, this will see the first rear-wheel drive MINIs produced in the tiny carmaker’s (tiny-car maker?) history.
“The configurability of the new platform means single-motor cars can only be had with the powertrain on the rear axle. This is because the main electrically excited synchronous motor is the only one offered by the BMW Group with an integrated gearbox, and this sits exclusively between the rear wheels.”
Furthermore, BMW engineers also told the publication there are no plans for the motor for use on the front axle.
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Minis have always been synonymous with the whole “go-kart feel on the road” quirk, and by moving the driven wheels to the rear, that feeling could be amplified. More rear-drive models are always welcome, but with something as iconic as the Mini, will it lose its “MINI-ness?”
Fret not as a board member told Autocar that retaining that famed “MINI-ness” is a priority.
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Minis were always front-wheel drive, ever since the first Austin Mini in 1959. Some modern models like the Countryman have optional all-wheel drive but are still predominantly front-wheel drive.
The first MINI revolutionised the automotive world and a rear-drive MINI would definitely have the same impact on the scene. That said, a rear-wheel drive MINI is still a long way from production – if it even comes to that – but as long as it keeps delivering that darty, point-and-go driving experience, we’re all for it.
