AutoThe 2024 Mini Cooper could come with a free English Bulldog… sort ofThe infotainment system will feature ‘Spike’, a cartoon English Bulldog who acts as your intelligent personal assistantWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

AutoThe 2024 Mini Cooper could come with a free English Bulldog… sort ofThe infotainment system will feature ‘Spike’, a cartoon English Bulldog who acts as your intelligent personal assistantWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

The infotainment system will feature ‘Spike’, a cartoon English Bulldog who acts as your intelligent personal assistant

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Mini)

Spike, the cartoon bulldog, shown on the infotainment system of a Mini car

(Image credit: Mini)

Before we dive into this – yes, that is an odd headline to read, and no, it isn’t a mistake. Next-gen Mini’s will come with an English Bulldog included with the car.

Okay, it’s a cartoon one, but don’t let that put you off – that just means it can’t widdle on the rug, or scare the postman to death each morning. What itcando, though, is direct users around their in-car infotainment system.

Think of it like a canine Siri for your car. Spike, the bulldog who has been a mascot for the Mini brand for decades, will take on a new role as the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant. Although “various forms of support” are noted, there is no further detail on what those might be.

It’s an interesting concept. Okay, the implementation is kooky, and will likely feel a bit gimmicky, but the idea of a virtual assistant in a car is actually pretty great.

Modern vehicles are packed to the rafters with tech. That’s a good thing, but can make for endless menu diving in search of what you’re looking for. Adding a Siri-esque voice navigation engine could make it easier to find what you need, saving valuable time.

According to specialist motoring website,CarScoops, the tech is likely to debut in production later this year with the Mini Countryman, before being brought into the 2024 Mini Cooper and the 2025 Mini Aceman. There’s no official confirmation for that yet, but it certainly seems plausible.

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