Background car news

Minimalist design for MINI Cooper Electric

MINI has chosen minimalist design for the exterior and interior of the new MINI Cooper E and MINI Cooper SE. Exterior features of the new MINI Cooper Electric include short overhangs, a short hood, a long wheelbase, recessed door handles, the lack of wheel well moldings, large wheels and large window surfaces. Chrome is missing. MINI uses the new accent color Vibrant Silver. Even around the LED lights, chrome trim is missing.

Wink

The LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights offer optional three adjustable light signatures, All light modes begin and end with a special welcome and farewell light animation, such as a “wink.

Rear of new MINI

The rear of the new MINI Cooper also stands out. Features include recessed taillights with vertical light clusters and Union Jack design. Different light modes are also available here. The third brake light and rear fog light are recessed. A trim in high-gloss black with type designation connects both taillights and emphasizes the width of the car.

MINI Cooper Electric (2024) – SNEAK PREVIEW – AutoRAI TV

Four trims: Essential Trim, Classic Trim, Favoured Trim and John Cooper Works Trim

The electric MINI Cooper is available in four different versions. The Essential Trim provides the foundation. Other choices include Classic Trim and  Favoured Trim. The Favoured Trim is available with the signature Multitone Roof with a combination of three different colors and a front grille in Vibrant Silver.

The fourth version is the John Cooper Works Trim, the sportiest variant. The grille surround and logo in high-gloss black underline the powerful overall look, while a contrasting roof in Chili Red and JCW-specific hood stripes (optional) in red or black further enhance the sporty looks.

Minimalist interior

The interior design of the new MINI reflects the dashboard design of the classic Mini, once conceived by Mini inventor Alec Issigonis in 1959. Like the original, the new MINI offers a round instrument panel in the center and the characteristic bezel with toggle switches underneath. Behind the wheel, the optional Head-Up Display ensures that all relevant driving information appears in the driver’s field of vision. This eliminates the need for an additional display on the driver’s side dashboard, resulting in a freer view forward.

Round OLED display

Especially noteworthy is the center-mounted instrument display: the MINI Interaction Unit. The circular OLED display has a diameter of 240 mm. The MINI Operating System 9 is attractively designed, optimized for touch operation and compatible with 5G connectivity (optional). For the first time, the infotainment system is based on an Android Open Source Project (AOSP) software stack.

MINI Experience Modes

The MINI Experience Modes may be thought of as themes or driving modes, as they combine their own design with specific lighting effects and driving settings. Core, Green and Go-Kart modes are available by default. Optional modes include Balance Mode, Timeless Mode, Vivid Mode, Personal Mode and Trail Mode. Each mode indicates its activation with a distinctive jingle. The color design of the optional Head-Up Display also adapts to the selected MINI Experience Mode.

Seats and luggage space

The seats are available in a base version and an extra sporty JCW version. The rear seats fold down in a 60:40 ratio. The luggage space then grows from 200 liters to a volume of up to 800 liters. An additional storage space under the floor in the luggage compartment holds the charging cables.

Driver assistance systems

The new electric MINI Cooper has a comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems. Complementing the automatic parking functions of the Parking Assistant, the new optional Parking Assistant Plus makes the parking process even easier. Thanks to twelve ultrasonic sensors and four surround view cameras, the car can more clearly identify possible parking spaces and even perform parking maneuvers independently in confined spaces. Moreover, a manual parking process can be transferred to Parking Assistant Plus at any time so that it can repeat the maneuver independently. Thanks to Explore Mode, it is even possible for the car to park using a smartphone, should there be too little space to get out of the car.

Two power variants

The electric MINI Cooper is available in through two power variants with considerable range. This makes all versions suitable for trips well beyond the city. Acceleration is smooth, uninterrupted by shifts.

MINI Cooper E

The basis of the lineup is the MINI Cooper E, equipped with an electric motor with an output of 135 kW (184 hp) and torque of 290 Nm. The battery capacity of the MINI Cooper E is 40.7 kWh, resulting in a range of up to 305 kilometers (WLTP). The 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 7.3 seconds.

MINI Cooper SE

The MINI Cooper SE is equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 54.2 kWh, good for a range of up to 402 kilometers (WLTP). The electric motor of this top version has an output of 160 kW (218 hp) and 330 Nm of torque, resulting in a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 6.7 seconds. The range data mentioned for the Cooper E and Cooper SE are preliminary figures.

To upload

The lithium-ion high-voltage battery is integrated into the floor. Charging the battery can be done in several ways. Through a regular AC charging station, an 11 kW charging rate is possible. The MINI Cooper E is additionally capable of 75 kW fast charging (DC). In the case of the MINI Cooper SE, the maximum is 95 kW. At a fast charging station, this allows the battery to be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just under 30 minutes.

Wheel size

The tire width of the optionally available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels has been increased by 10 and 20 mm, respectively, to 205 and 225 mm. Wheels can be chosen from 16- to 18-inch sizes.

Market launch MINI Cooper E and MINI Cooper SE

Together with the new electric MINI Countryman – to be produced at the BMW Group Factory Leipzig from November 2023 – the new electric MINI Cooper rolls out the carpet for an all-electric future of MINI. Thereby, the new crossover MINI Aceman completes the new MINI family from the end of 2024. Starting in 2030, MINI will exclusively provide all-electric models, combining forward-looking technology with the elemental principles of body design and the brand’s origins. The new 100% electric MINI Cooper takes the lead in the transition to an all-electric lineup. Market launch is scheduled for early 2024.