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2024 Mini Hardtop has fun in the snow before its unveiling

Mini is nearly ready to unveil the first member of the next-generation Hardtop family. It will introduce the two-door hatchback variant in 2022, and it released official spy shots showing a test mule in a frozen part of Sweden to give us a better idea of what to expect from the car. The BMW-owned firm stresses that the prototype shown on frigid Swedish roads is fully electric, though it stopped short of publishing any technical details. We're expecting that the plucky little hatchback will offer users more horsepower and more range than the current Cooper SE. And, there's no word yet on whether the line-up will include versions powered by an internal-combustion engine for buyers who are not interested in going electric. We've reached out to the company for more information, and we'll update this story if we learn more. It's clear that the next Hardtop’s proportions havenÂ’t significantly changed; it remains recognizable as a member of the Mini line-up, but designers have reimagined many key styling cues. Spy shots of a completely camouflage-free prototype taken in December 2021 reveal evolutionary updates made to the front end and a reimagined rear end characterized by angular lights connected by a black piece of trim. At first glance, it looks like the modern-day Mini is in for the biggest makeover since BMW rebooted the model at the turn of the millennium. More details about the next-generation Mini Hardtop will emerge in the coming months, and we expect to see the model make its debut before the end of 2022. It will later be joined by a four-door hatchback and a two-door convertible (Mini has confirmed it wonÂ’t leave the drop-top segment). Meanwhile, the company is sending off the current Hardtop by releasing a number of design-led limited-edition models. While the Hardtop stands proud as the car that MiniÂ’s image is pegged on, the segment of the market that it competes in is shrinking on a regular basis. Buyers prefer crossovers to hatchbacks, even across the pond. To that end, Mini is also working on the next-generation Countryman — which could be its biggest and most powerful model — and it announced plans to show a new crossover concept in 2022. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery 2024 Mini Hardtop, official spy shots View 23 Photos Green MINI Hatchback Electric

7 major automakers to build open EV charging network

A new joint venture established by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis will build a new North American electric vehicle charging network on a scale designed to compete with Tesla's industry-benchmark Supercharger network. The 30,000-plus planned new chargers will accommodate both Tesla's almost-standard North American Charging System (NACS) and existing automakers' Combined Charging System (CCS) options, effectively guaranteeing compatibility with the vast majority of current and upcoming electric models — whether they're from one of the involved automakers or not.  "With the generational investments in public charging being implemented on the Federal and State level, the joint venture will leverage public and private funds to accelerate the installation of high-powered charging for customers. The new charging stations will be accessible to all battery-powered electric vehicles from any automaker using Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) and are expected to meet or exceed the spirit and requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program." Critically, the automakers involved will have a say in how the charging tech is implemented, guaranteeing that the hardware will play nicely with each automaker's in-house charging systems. Hyundai and Kia, for example, were hesitant to jump on board the Tesla NACS bandwagon earlier this year over concerns that the Supercharger network is insufficient for powering the two automakers' 800-volt charging systems; similar tech is used by Volkswagen and Porsche.  In addition to providing much-needed capacity and high-output charging for America's growing fleet of electric cars and trucks, the new network will integrate seamlessly with each automaker's in-app and in-vehicle features, rather than forcing customers to use third-party tools and payment systems, as is the case with some existing public charging infrastructure.  "The functions and services of the network will allow for seamless integration with participating automakersÂ’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences, including reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management and more. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology to further enhance the customer experience," the announcement said.

Car designer Frank Stephenson wants to show you something ... smaller

Influential car designer Frank Stephenson has often thought small. Now he’s thinking smaller. Throughout the past three decades, he has shaped — literally — some of the most indelible designs in automotive history: the modern Mini, the Ferrari FXX track star, the Maserati Gran Sport, a range of stunning McLarens and down to the funky 21st-century version of the Fiat 500. Now heÂ’s turned his pen to fashioning watches. His Cosmos analog piece, made to mirror “a black hole in space” and detailed “with an orange pinstripe which simulates the supernova glow of a neutron star,” features a Japan-built quartz movement and was created in concert with the Time Concepts company. “ItÂ’s the age-old adage ‘car people are watch people,Â’ so it was a natural step for me to get creative with timepieces too,” Stephenson said in a statement. “The collection showcases the love I have for exceptional and emotionally charged design, just like what is required in designing world class cars.” While Stephenson, who is 64, may be best known publicly for his vision of “affordable style” with the Mini and the Fiat, his ethos also translated to the utilitarian. In the case of BMW in the mid-1990s, the company was hustling to market an SUV, and turned to him for inspiration. His team had six months to complete the project. The result was the high-end X5, which Stephenson sketched during a two-hour flight. In 2018, Stephenson established the independent design company, Frank Stephenson Design, based in London. Related video: Design/Style BMW Ferrari Fiat Maserati McLaren MINI Gadgets watch frank stephenson