SPY PICS: New MINI hatch leaked

Images of a fully unwrapped production-ready MINI hatch have surfaced a year before you're supposed to see them, with the photographs leaked on Chinese social media.

Reportedly caught at a top-secret test facility in China, the photos published on Instagram show the range-topping MINI Cooper S finally loses its additional bonnet vent up front.

Elsewhere, the fourth-generation MINI appears to get smoother, cleaner lines with more of an enclosed grille suggesting this model is a pure-electric version.

Keeping almost identical proportions to the current car, it's also worth mentioning designers have once again blacked-out the pillars for a floating roof and wraparound-effect glass.

At the rear of the car, the MINI keeps its bulbous bottom but gains a darkened light reflector and a pair of reshaped tail-light clusters that look like they drop the Union Flag decals.

Featuring a wider opening, the rear glass looks larger and incorporates new vertical air blades on each side for better aero performance.

Inside, there's more evolutionary change that sees a huge round glass screen introduced to the middle of the dashboard. Elsewhere, there's a more minimalist, clutter-free cabin.

It's not yet known if the new hatch is any bigger than the current car, but shorter front and rear overhangs hint at its heavily updated version of the BMW Group's FAAR platform that's currently used for models like the BMW 1 Series, BMW X1 and the MINI Countryman.

The new MINI is expected to boast mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains and Level 3 semi-autonomous cruising, although the most advanced driving aids are not expected to be offered from launch.

Following its launch, the BMW-owned British brand says it will introduce a larger, all-new MINI Countryman SUV that will also feature a battery-electric powertrain option.

The company plans to have 50 per cent of its global sales made up of zero-emissions cars by 2027.

Filling the gap created by a larger Countryman will be another SUV that will be built in China, as part of a joint venture with Great Wall Motors. That car is expected to only be offered with pure-electric power.

A second Great Wall/MINI model will also be introduced that should be called the 'Minor' and will slot in as a new entry-level city car below the hatch.

Also in the pipeline is a third people-mover that is set to be loosely based on the MINI Urbanaut concept. 

Since MINI says it will launch its last combustion-engined car in 2025 it's likely that model will be battery-electric too.

Finally, for hot hatch fans, MINI's high-performance sub-brand John Cooper Works is readying a hot battery-electric version of the next-gen hatch that will draw inspiration from the recent Pacesetter Formula E pace car.