MINI Cooper Generation 4: The Split (J01 Electric & F66 Gasoline) As an expert, it is crucial to clarify a major subtlety of this 4th generation: the J01 code exclusively designates the 100% electric version, developed on a dedicated platform in China (Spotlight Automotive joint venture with Great Wall Motor). The gasoline versions (targeted by your query) are based on the F66 code, which is a significant evolution of the old F56 platform, manufactured in Oxford (United Kingdom). Launched in early 2024, this new iteration (whether J01 or F66) unifies its design with a minimalist style, the disappearance of chrome, and an interior revolutionized by a huge circular OLED central screen (MINI OS 9). The big mechanical novelty for purists is the total disappearance of the manual gearbox across
Purchase Verdict The 4th generation MINI Cooper is a highly recommendable purchase in its combustion versions (F66). By reusing the B38 and B48 engines from the previous generation, MINI avoids early issues: mechanical reliability is excellent. The choice between the Cooper C (156 hp) and the Cooper S (204 hp) will depend on your budget, both being very successful. Regarding the electric versions (J01), the technological leap is undeniable (range, packaging), but production outsourced to China deprives it of state aid in Europe, and the OS 9 software system still suffers from early bugs. Advice: Go for a Cooper S (F66) if you're looking for traditional driving pleasure without reliability concerns. For the electric (J01), wait for the 2025 models to benefit from stabilized software.