New Mini Cooper SE, the first 100 percent electric Mini

With the official presentation of the Mini Cooper SE, the brand fully enters the era of electric cars

The wait is over: the first Mini electric is here, the Mini Cooper SE, a car that comes to reinvent the original concept that the car presented 60 years ago proposed under the premise of urban mobility. Sustainability now joins the fundamental scheme for repositioning a car like this on today’s scene, beyond the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4.

For this reason, the new Mini electric has a 135 kW motor, equivalent to 184 CV, a power similar to that of the petrol model, and 270 Nm of torque. The energy is stored in a 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which, together with a homologated electricity consumption of 15.0-13.2 kWh per 100 km, gives it a range of between 235 and 270 km.

Depending on the type of charging point it is connected to, the Mini electric would take a minimum of 35 minutes using a supercharger, which would bring the battery to 80% of its capacity.

Although the electric motor is lighter than a combustion engine, overall the Mini Cooper SE weighs 1,365 kg, which is 145 kg more than the equivalent petrol model with the Steptronic gearbox.

Power is delivered to the front wheels and, thanks to a limited-slip differential and the floor-mounted battery layout, it has the agile dynamism of a car suited to city use and even to winding roads. This is thanks to the optimised weight distribution, a centre of gravity 30 mm lower than the Mini Cooper S, and a suspension calibrated specifically for this model.

The four driving modes aim to give the best response from the Mini electric depending on the moment and the situation.

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Thus, MID mode is geared towards comfort in standard driving; Green and Green+ modes seek to optimise the energy stored and used, with heating, air conditioning or heated seats limited in Green+. Finally, for more demanding moments, the Sport mode of the Mini electric delivers the immediate response of electrical energy use typical of these cars that rely exclusively on electricity as their energy source.

Thanks to one-pedal driving, the right pedal can be used not only for acceleration but also for energy recovery through regenerative braking.

When the foot is lifted off the accelerator, the system decelerates and the motor switches from propulsion to electric generator, thus recovering electrical energy.

This allows driving, at certain times and in certain situations, using only the accelerator pedal, leaving the brake for more demanding stops.

Three doors that open the way to a new dimension

Its three-door body configuration provides a boot capacity of up to 211 litres, or 731 with the rear seats folded down.

Both outside and inside, it features distinctive elements for this variant: from the “Mini Electric” logo, through the exclusive 16-inch Electric Revolite Spoke and 17-inch Electric Corona Spoke alloy wheels, to the central grille, which loses its air intake grille and is decorated, like the mirrors, in a yellowish-green tone specific to this version.

The new MINI Cooper SE comes as standard with a specific instrument cluster with a 5.5-inch colour screen in Black Panel design, located behind the steering wheel. In the centre of this screen, the speed is digitally displayed in figures with a peripheral scale band.

Depending on the driving mode, the speed range is also shown in the luminous ring of the central dial, taking on distinct colours: red (SPORT mode), white (MID) or green (GREEN and GREEN+).

The new MINI Cooper SE comes as standard with a navigation system located in the centre console and elements specially designed for this type of electric car, as well as Mini Connected services.

The eDrive screen shows information on instantaneous energy consumption and range, as well as ways to increase that range by deactivating comfort functions or enhancing recuperation.

On the navigation map, the range can be shown with the vehicle’s current state of charge, indicating the distance that can be covered. When route guidance starts, the fastest and shortest options are displayed, as well as proposing the most efficient route that consumes the least amount of energy.

The Mini Cooper SE will be sold with four additional trim levels and one standard version; in any case, these are packs that affect both the interior and the exterior. Each includes a specific combination of exterior finish, alloy wheels, seat upholstery and interior accessories.