We’ve seen 2025 Mini Cooper Hardtops under heavy camouflage for a couple of years now, and we even got a look at an undisguised one. But a spy photographer came across a spotted example at a photo shoot in Los Angeles, and it’s our best look yet at the little hatchback.
This particular one is the Mini Cooper SE, which will be one of the first of the new generation as it is electric. Like the current SE, it has a lime green “S” badge. It seems to be one of the few obvious clues that this is the sports electric model, as the hood is gone. It retains a version of the extra-large front grille surround from current cars. The entire shape of the car, including the wraparound glass and contrasting roof, are very obviously Mini.
There are interesting detail changes on the sides. The door handles fit like new BMWs. And gone are the contrasting black plastic flares, a trademark of Minis since their U.S. reintroduction in the early 2000s. There’s not even a glimpse of a front fender vent or badging. It has been simplified significantly.
The tail also has big changes. The rear hatch includes the taillights. These lights are triangular and still feature a Union Jack motif, but it’s a bit more obscured. A band with the model name joins the two across the hatch.
This new Mini is expected to be launched in May next year. A base version with 181 horsepower and the SE with 215 horsepower are on the way, along with two battery packs with 40 or 54 kWh. And there will be versions with gas, but they will come a little later.
