What Car? drives the new Mini - Intro

Mini will replace its iconic hatchback this winter, with a gently massaged new model. Same-again looks hide a raft of technical changes under the skin, including new engines, a cabin refresh and more space for passengers and luggage.

The new Mini will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September, but whatcar.com will publish the first photographs before then. Come back on August 14 to see a full news report.

In the meantime, whatcar.com was this week given an exclusive early drive of lightly disguised, pre-production prototypes in Amsterdam. Read on to see if Mini can follow the current car's runaway success with another hit.