MINI is tapping into its heritage for the next generation, which will be unveiled in September. The all-new car will come in both petrol and electric guises and features a fresh interior design with a 9.4-inch diameter circular OLED display. The layout of that new dashboard is heavily influenced by the original Mini, notable for its circular speedometer at the cabin's centre.
New MINI Operating System
That display will run a new MINI Operating System 9 based on an Android Open Source Project software stack for the first time, making it more responsive and powerful. This new infotainment system is more intuitive and is available with an optional 5G connection for online services.
The look of the infotainment system varies according to the chosen mode, or as MINI calls them, ''Experiences''. As standard, there are three Experience modes: Core, Green and Go-Kart, which roughly translate into what we would call normal, eco and sport settings. The colours vary according to experience, and MINI offers the option of adding more of these called Balance, Timeless, Vivid Trail and Personal. With the Timeless experience, the circular OLED display turns into a giant speed similar to the original Mini, even taking on a similar typeface and off-white colour.
MINI has also curated several sounds to accompany the electric version. The Timeless Experience, for example, includes engine sounds generated by its past combustion engine models, including the classic Mini and MINI John Cooper Works GP. These have been sampled and blended with a futuristic interpretation of the ''Core'' driving sound.
MINI smartphone app
Owners can also upload their favourite pictures to the car's display via the MINI smartphone app. They can also share a digital key with friends and family within that app. Thanks to new ultra-wideband technology, the car automatically detects the digital key stored on the smartphone device, enabling it to be opened and driven without a physical key.
Improved navigation
MINI will employ cloud-based navigation to improve performance over previous generations significantly. These enhancements include faster dynamic route calculation and real-time traffic updates to help avoid congestion. With the electric MINI, this navigation will ensure the car arrives at its destination with a minimum of 10 per cent battery charge remaining. If charging is required along the route, it will plot the most efficient journey and factor in charging times. Live data is processed to add new charging stations to the trip if the originally planned stops no longer have availability.
New AirConsole app
When the MINI is charging, occupants can play games via the display thanks to a new AirConsole app from the MINI Connected Store. These will include racing and sports-based games, quizzes and jump-and-run style games, all designed specifically for the system and to be easy to play.
Other apps, including Spotify, have been adapted to integrate perfectly into Operating System 9. Users can quickly and easily connect their accounts to the car by scanning a QR code. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will also be available wirelessly on the new system.