THE first pictures of the next generation of the Oxford-built Mini have been unveiled.

The “spy shots” were picked up by photographers while the new car was being filmed for an advertising campaign in the United States.

While parent company BMW has only released a “teaser” shot of the car under wraps, a full range of images of the new model, which is set to go into production at the Cowley plant in November, have been unveiled on the Internet.

While the third generation car is unmistakably a Mini, it appears to have a larger front radiator grille, larger tail lights and a more steeply raked windscreen.

Experts believe the car will also have a new 1.5-litre three cylinder engine.

BMW bosses declined to reveal any details but spokesman Graham Biggs said: “The pictures are not very flattering for the new design, which is stunning.”

The car is expected to be launched at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November before going on sale early next year.

Meanwhile, Mini sales in the UK slumped by more than 16 per cent in June, latest figures have revealed.

The statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show 5,956 cars left dealer forecourts, compared to 7,151 for the same month last year.

But Mr Biggs said much of the difference was down to the number of cars registered for use in and around the Olympics in London last year.

He pointed to the year-to-date sales figure of 25,320, which is 2.87 per cent higher than at the same point in 2012. The figure then was 24,614.