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Mini Cooper Electric

You see the first electric Mini driving regularly in the Netherlands. Pretty special, considering its limited range and hefty price tag. But his appeal is so strong that many people take that for granted. We get it, because we were hugely impressed with its fun handling. Like its predecessor, the new electric Mini comes only as a three-door model. If you want an electric Mini with five doors and more interior space, you can opt for the Aceman, coming to the Netherlands later this year, or the recently launched Mini Countryman.

No new face

The design of the new Mini Cooper Electric stays true to the iconic Mini style, with a recognizable nose. Only when you place the new one next to its predecessor do the front-end differences become apparent. The new Mini has a streamlined design without excess embellishments. This becomes especially evident on the side of the car, where you will not find plastic protective edges around the wheel arches, as is the case with almost all modern cars. At a time when designers often tend to add as many lines, angles and other details to their models as possible, this understated choice is refreshing.

Getting used to it

For many Mini enthusiasts, the rear design may take some getting used to. For the first time in years, the taillights have been completely reshaped. In the trapezoidal LED taillights, however, the recognizable Union Jack pattern immediately appears as soon as the car is turned on. The rear bumper is also a clear example of minimalism. The overall design is sleek, without even a cool diffuser at the bottom. Still want a little more external appearance and and a lot of spoiler work? Then choose the John Cooper Works version. The luggage space, at 200 liters (800 liters with the rear seats folded down), is as you would expect from a Mini: not very large.

Wink

The interior also stays true to its roots. The central circular screen, with a row of toggle switches below, is very reminiscent of the first Minis of the late 1950s. The OLED screen is vibrant and colorful. The playful nature of the new infotainment system puts a smile on the faces of even the grumpiest drivers. This is also true of the rest of the interior, which is all about fun. The vast majority of the interior is covered in soft fabric, making it almost seem as if your grandmother knitted the interior herself. It creates a stylish and homey atmosphere.

You don’t get an instrument cluster in front of you, so you rely on the screen in the center of the dashboard to read your speed. So you will have to take your eyes off the road for this, which is somewhat inconvenient. The optional head-up display offers a simpler solution, which you will have to pay extra for. Our advice: always do it.

Longer distances

With two battery and power variants available, the new electric Mini offers more choice for buyers who also need to be able to drive longer distances. Instead of the 234 kilometers of range of its predecessor, the new version can reach up to 402 kilometers. This applies to the Mini Cooper SE, which is equipped with a 54 kWh battery pack. In practice, you can expect a range of about 300 to 350 kilometers, which are excellent figures for a compact EV. At home or at a public charging station, you chase the battery at 11 kW full, and at a fast charger it can handle 95 kW of charging power. In the latter case, you need about 30 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent.

For those not planning to vacation abroad, the Mini Cooper E is also a good choice. This features a 40.7 kWh battery, which on paper allows the Mini to kick it up to 305 kilometers. It also supports AC charging up to 11 kW, but with a fast charger it can gobble up power a bit slower, at a maximum of 75 kW. Again, in about half an hour, you can fill the battery back up to 80 percent.

Nice and smooth!

Both variants are equipped with the same electric motor, but there are differences in power output between the Cooper E and Cooper SE. In the Cooper E, the electric motor delivers 132 kW (184 hp) and 290 Nm of torque, while the Mini Cooper SE boasts 160 kW (218 hp) and 330 Nm of torque. In short: Mini squeezes the electric motor a little in the Cooper E. During our first introduction, we get the keys to the Cooper SE pressed into our hands. With 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.7 seconds, it feels nice and smooth. He sprints quickly from the starting line and the acceleration only decreases above 70 km/h.

Several driving modes are available, which Mini calls “Experience Modes. Through the speakers, rapid acceleration is additionally emphasized. In Go-Kart mode (Sport mode), a futuristic sound swells dramatically during acceleration. It’s a gimmick we can secretly appreciate. Each Experience Mode provides a customized driving experience, with different sounds over the speakers and visuals on the screen as well as more or less power.

Kart Feeling

Speaking of go-karts, does the new electric Mini still drive like a go-kart? We can be brief about that: absolutely! Despite its electric powertrain, its weight is not excessive. After all, the three-door Mini is a compact car, and with a battery capacity of up to 54 kWh, the battery weight remains manageable. However, the 160 kW (218 hp) output is solid for a car of this size. Combined with a set of powerful brakes and a solid chassis, the result is a huge fun machine on wheels.

With its tight handling, little understeer and direct steering, the Mini Cooper Electric makes for a very enjoyable driving experience. The kart feel Mini is known for is vividly present and – if you’re looking for it – gives you a smile from ear to ear at every turn. While not an Autobahn stunner, the Mini offers tremendous driving pleasure in corners and at lower speeds. A driving experience that many an expensive sports car could learn from.

What does the Mini Cooper Electric cost?

The price of the Mini Cooper E, the version with the small battery pack and 135 kW (184 hp) of power, starts at 35,990 euros. So a hefty price tag, as we have come to expect from Mini. However, this does make it nearly 2,000 euros cheaper than its predecessor, while getting quite a bit farther on a full battery. The Mini Cooper SE, with a larger battery pack and 160 kW (218 hp) of power, has a starting price of 38,990 euros. That’s only 300 euros more expensive than its predecessor, but with almost twice the range, so this is actually an excellent deal. It’s just how you look at it.

Conclusion

With the Cooper Electric, Mini once again hits the nail on the head. Both the interior and exterior will make you smile from ear to ear even before you turn the key. Then the real fun begins. Whether cruising leisurely through the city or seeking out twisty country roads, the Mini Cooper Electric once again guarantees plenty of driving pleasure. Thanks to its significantly improved range, the electric Mini is no longer limited to short trips around town, but you can go wherever you want. Its price tag remains hefty, but there are few cars that offer so much (driving) pleasure. In the video below, we tell you more: