Mini Cooper (2013) New Mini previewed by Mini Vision Concept

The Mini Vision Concept has given the best indication yet at what the Mini 3, due to be shown this autumn, will look like. Shown at a design event in Germany, the Vision, says Mini, is intended to show the future design direction of the BMW sub-brand, but when compared to scoop images of the car, essentially previews the new model in all its glory.

The Mini 3 will keep the familiar styling cues of the first two generations, but there’s a longer wheelbase and a waistline that’s rising more sharply towards the roofline, which lowers more aggressively than before. Front-on, the Vision is noticeably wider than the current Mini, while the signature round headlamps are now at more of an angle. We’ve seen a skinner front grille on prototypes in testing, but the Vision has a larger single grille with an integrated front number plate. At the rear, the twin central exhaust pipes follow the Cooper S tradition, but like the Vision, Mini 3 will have more substantial, chunkier bumpers.

The interior of the Vision shows that the central instrument cluster, which harks back to the original Mini, will remain, but spy shots have revealed that the Mini 3 will have an analogue speedometer above the steering wheel too – a first for the Mini.

The Mini 3 will use the an entirely new modular platform that will also underpin BMW-badged front-wheel drive models, with core models powered by a new range of 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engines which will also find their way into BMWs.

By Damion Smy