It’s the Chinese language-made Mini with lashings of loveable British allure and progressive fashionable supplies blended with the newest tech (and the occasional Mini quirk).
Welcome to the brand new Mini, one which leverages the BMW-owned model’s German engineering nous whereas digging deep into the fun-and-funky persona of the model identified for its small vehicles.
And the Cooper is as small because it will get, albeit refreshingly sensible for singles and {couples} that received’t usually use the tight again seats (it’s solely a four-seater).
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It’s the entry level to the Mini vary, though in EV guise it’s a really completely different beast to the just about an identical one sitting alongside it within the dealership, powered by petrol.
That’s as a result of the second era of the electrical Mini shares little or no with the petrol-powered different.
Positive, the 2 look alike, however beneath the pores and skin they’re very completely different machines.
That’s as a result of the EV we’ve examined right here was designed from the outset as an electrical car, quite than tailored from an ICE platform, as the unique Mini Electrical was.
2024 Mini Cooper EV value and tools
The Mini Cooper E – the entry-level electrical Mini – is priced from $53,990 plus on-road prices.
It makes use of a single electrical motor making 135kW and 290Nm to drive the entrance wheels. Within the ground is a modest 41kWh battery pack for 305km of WLTP vary.
The automotive we examined was the extra highly effective Cooper SE that’s anticipated to account for almost all of gross sales.
It makes 160kW and 330Nm and comes with a 54kWh battery pack, sufficient to go as much as 402km between costs, in keeping with the WLTP cycle.
The SE additionally has the next DC cost price – 95kW versus 75kW for the Cooper E – though it takes barely longer to cost from 10 to 80 p.c as a result of greater battery; the E takes 28 minutes, the SE half-hour.
An AC cost from a 7.4kW wallbox takes about six hours for the E and eight hours for the SE.
Like different Minis the Cooper SE is on the market with numerous themes and packs that step up the tools ranges and permit the selection of finishes and supplies.
The SE will get the Favoured therapy, which provides a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, encompass view digicam, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise management and electrically adjustable and massaging entrance seats with heating.
However it’s the finishes and trims that assist the Mini stand out from backyard selection EVs.
Patterned materials throughout the sprint groups with mushy metallic touches and knitted finishes on the doorways so as to add some severe spice.
The random materials strap on the sprint – it matches the small deal with to open the (even smaller) coated centre console is a pleasant contact; nevertheless it’s a pity that the centre console flips open in the direction of the passenger facet (or the driving force’s facet in Europe), making it far much less helpful for the driving force. And it’s replicated with one other strap masquerading as a spoke on the steering wheel.
Throw in some stitching, bronze/gold finishes and a panoramic sunroof and it’s a significantly particular small automotive house.
Positive, Minis price greater than a Mazda or Kia, however a couple of minutes within the newest mannequin is sufficient to reinforce the thoughtfulness and a focus to element.
Keep in mind, too, that the automotive is in-built China (it comes out of a GWM manufacturing unit), which nowadays is aware of match it with the most effective in the case of construct high quality.
Whereas it really works nicely for singles and {couples}, the Mini Cooper SE doesn’t have a great deal of house within the again, the place rear legroom is tight.
And the boot is compact, albeit with a 60/40 split-fold perform to take bulkier gadgets.
2024 Mini Cooper EV: what we expect
The brand new electrical Mini Cooper is a really completely different machine to the unique, primarily due to its bespoke EV structure.
It’s additionally a really completely different beast to the petrol-powered mannequin that broadly appears the identical however is a good bit cheaper.
Our SE was making 160kW and 330Nm channelled by means of a single electrical motor driving the entrance wheels.
It’s ample for brisk take-offs and a simple, always-on-tap pull that’s completely according to the fun-to-drive Mini positioning.
The claimed 0-100km/h time is 6.7 seconds; not as fast as some, however loads for zipping round and having a little bit of enjoyable when the time is correct.
We drove it within the moist, at which level these entrance tyres are sometimes overwhelmed by the grunt they must take care of.
However the electronics are properly calibrated to maintain issues in verify – and maintain the wheels pointing within the path you’re asking them to – whereas nonetheless permitting for brisk ahead progress.
The thick rim on the steering wheel received’t go well with all palms and is an fascinating addition for a automotive that markets itself on its diminutive measurement.
However there’s at the very least some tactility to it, one thing bolstered with the directness of its operation.
Mess around with the Experiences – Mini converse for drive modes – and you’ll add weight to the steering really feel whereas radically altering the format of the crisp central show display screen.
These modes additionally alter the sounds that accompany acceleration and braking.
Vivid, for instance, is EV silent, whereas Go Kart has fake turbo whooshes and futuristic exhaust flutters with the backdrop of one thing that sounds prefer it’s from the Jetsons.
The 240mm (9.5-inch) round touchscreen can be a terrific addition to the centre of the sprint that additional performs to the Mini heritage.
In addition to a crisp, vibrant show it has some fascinating additions. Probably the most uncommon is the DJ mode, which, when stopped, turns the display screen right into a spinning picture of a document and permits you to use your fingers to cease and begin the tunes with a DJ-like edge.
2024 Mini Cooper EV: Verdict
Gimmicks apart, although, there’s no scarcity of expertise with the Mini Cooper EV.
At its coronary heart is a fun-to-drive EV hatch that won’t muscle as much as the Teslas and Polestars on house and driving vary, however makes up for it with design aptitude and individuality.
Throw in progressive and funky finishes and the Mini EV mounts a strong case for individuals who need one thing out of the peculiar.
Rating: 4/5
2024 Mini Cooper SE specificationsPrice: From $58,990 plus on-road costsBasics: EV, 4 seats, 2 doorways, coupe/hatch, FWDRange: 402kmBattery capability: 54kWhBattery guarantee: 8 years/160,000kmEnergy consumption: 15.1kWh/100kmMotors: 1 entrance 160kW/330NmAC charging: 11kW, Sort 2 plugDC charging: 95kW, CCS combo plug0-100km/h: 6.7 seconds