The MINI Cooper SE Cabrio becomes the first production car with recycled aluminium alloy wheels

MINI becomes the first manufacturer to fit alloy wheels made from 100% recycled aluminium on a production car, the new MINI Cooper SE Cabrio. Back in 2021, Audi announced a pilot project to use sustainable aluminium in the manufacture of the 20-inch wheels offered as an option on the Audi e-tron GT. Both Audi and BMW backed this innovation with the wheel manufacturer RONAL.

For MINI, the decision to use recycled aluminium for the Cooper SE Cabrio’s wheels reflects its constant drive to reduce emissions during production. The wheels offer a huge CO2 saving potential: using recycled aluminium conserves raw material sources and also eliminates the electrolysis process required to make wheels from primary aluminium, which consumes a great deal of energy. Specifically, the wheel supplier reports CO2 emission reductions of around 75% compared with conventional wheels.

A production electric convertible in a limited series

The MINI Cooper SE Cabrio, which will be built in limited numbers, makes it possible to incorporate this innovation. The wheels are also designed to optimise aerodynamics and weight, which benefits the vehicle’s efficiency and dynamic behaviour. Moreover, to close the loop, these wheels can also undergo a complete recycling process at the end of their life cycle. To produce this type of wheel, RONAL uses an aluminium casting technology that employs an inert anode, instead of the anodes used in conventional electrolysis processes, and also uses green electricity.

The MINI Cabrio Cooper SE, which shares its platform and drivetrain with the MINI Cooper SE, will be built in a limited series of 999 units, of which around 50 are expected to reach the Spanish market, where it will have a price of 61,000 euros. With a 184 CV motor and a 32.6 kWh battery, the electric version loses about 30 km of range compared with the Cooper SE, with a WLTP range of 201 km.

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