New 2023 Mini Electric hatch spotted winter testing

A prototype of the new Mini Electric has been spotted undergoing winter tests in northern Europe ahead of an expected 2023 launch.

The car was photographed in the snow sporting a yellow disguise livery, black wheel rims and an ‘electric test vehicle’ label on both sides and the rear.

Despite the camouflage, the Mini's squat shape is clear to see, and the prototype appeared with a covered front end. The car’s revamped lights, a defining feature of the Fiat 500 Electric rival, continue to hint at an extensive visual refresh for the model.

The highly anticipated, all-electric model will be built in China on a new, dedicated platform as part of a joint venture with Great Wall Motors. It will be launched alongside an Oxford-built petrol variant.  

The model was officially previewed by Mini in November last year, wearing a black and white livery. The car is expected to spearhead a reworking of the Mini line-up as the brand overhauls its production processes before making the switch to all-electric by the early 2030s.

Mini says cars with “highly efficient petrol and diesel engines” will continue to serve “groups and regions” that aren’t ready to make the shift to pure-EV motoring.

The new three-door hatch is also likely to be joined by a Mini five-door Hatch variant, although this hasn’t yet been confirmed. Mini’s 2023 three-door will pioneer an all-new interior design, which uses new technology to expand its personalisation options. 

Details are unconfirmed, but Mini has said the instrument panel “will have surfaces acting as canvases that can be tailored by the customer to suit their requirements”, essentially allowing the cabin to be redesigned at will.

The three-door hatch will arrive alongside a pair of all-new small cars developed in China. One of these is expected to be the ultra-compact Minor supermini and the other a compact crossover positioned beneath the upsized Mini Countryman.