Set to be a (very) rare electric soft top
Mini has surprised the motoring world by announcing a production version of the electric Mini Convertible concept it unveiled last July.
The move comes is a shock given that the current-generation Mini is due to end production this year, and the concept car was thought to have been a one-off.
With just 999 examples of the electric Cooper SE Convertible set to be built in the Netherlands alongside the current Convertible, it won’t have a lengthy production run — and only 150 are coming to the UK, at a very hefty price of £52,500 apiece.
The design of the production model is largely unchanged from that of last year’s concept and broadly shares the same technical specs as the hard-top Mini Electric.
Power comes courtesy of a 32.6kWh battery pack and a single 181bhp electric motor, giving the convertible an advertised range of just 125 miles — around 20 miles down on the standard Mini Electric — as well as a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.3 seconds.
Visually, the electric Cooper SE isn’t very different to the standard Mini Convertible, though it does have a few choice details setting it apart.
Available in a choice of ‘Enigmatic Black’ or ‘White Silver’ paint, the door handles, side scuttles and light surrounds are finished in an attractive contrasting bronze, with other body details such as brand badges and lettering in piano black.
The electric convertible sits on a set of 17in alloy wheels with a similar three-pin plug design to those available on the hard-top model.
The convertible roof can be fully opened in around 18 seconds at speeds of up to 19mph; alternatively, it can be opened part of the way, essentially functioning as a large sunroof.
Inside, the model is equipped as standard with heated leather sports seats and a heated Nappa leather steering wheel sitting ahead of the driver.
The majority of the dashboard surfacing is finished in piano black — again, largely similar to the standard convertible — though bright yellow accents such as the tops of the toggle switches do provide a contrast and mark the electric model out as something a bit different.
As it’s positioned towards the more expensive end of the Mini line-up, the interior comes with plenty of kit including a head-up display and an active cruise control system with Stop & Go functionality, making motorway traffic jams less of a chore.
Company boss Stefanie Wurst said that one in five of all Minis sold today is a Mini Electric (also known as the Mini Cooper SE), which means that it warranted the creation of a special edition convertible version.
“[The model’s] success has spurred us to implement the small series of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible within only a few months,” he said. “I’m delighted that we can offer 999 Mini customers an extraordinary and exclusive open-air go-kart feeling.”
Those in the market for an electric Mini convertible, and who are unable to get themselves on the list to receive one of the 999 examples once it goes on sale in April, could be in for quite a wait.
Although the next-generation Mini Hatch (downsized from the current model) is due to go on sale later this year, an electric model isn’t due to arrive until later in 2024.
Rather than sharing the same platform as the next-gen Mini Hatch, it is rumoured that the 2024 Mini Electric will be built on an EV platform developed in partnership with Mini’s parent company BMW, alongside the Chinese car giant Great Wall Motors (the parent company behind the Ora Funky Cat).
Mini has confirmed that a convertible version of the next-generation Hatch won’t arrive until at least 2025, meaning that the next time a Mini Electric Convertible hits UK showrooms, it could potentially be in the second half of the decade.
- After reading about the electric Mini Convertible, you might be interested to read all about the Mini Aceman electric car concept
- Here are all the car makers’ electric car plans
- How does Mini’s first pure-electric car fit into everyday life? Read Will Dron’s reports on the Mini Electric
Keyword: Electric Mini Convertible unveiled and set for limited production run of just 999 examples