The all-electric Mini Cooper has been launched in the Indian market at Rs 46.20 lakh, ex-showroom. The Mini 3-door Cooper SE is the first all-electric Mini and features a zippy and powerful drivetrain to complement the electric styling on the vehicle.
The automotive world is going the electric way and several major automobile manufacturers have announced their decision to go electric. Legendary British car manufacturer Mini is among these manufacturers. The brand had earlier announced the decision to go completely electric by 2030.
The entire existence of Mini as a car manufacturer has been on the basis of making fun-to-drive cars. The Cooper of course is the most well-known Mini model and also the most fun-to-drive among all the Mini cars. There is no surprise then, that the Cooper is also the first Mini to receive an electric drivetrain.
Mini Electric Cooper Design & Style
The Mini Electric does retain the overall design and silhouette of the standard petrol-powered Cooper. It does get the low-down and wide stance, the circular headlamps, and the other signature Mini design traits like the union jack design inside the tail lamp.
However, there are many elements that set it apart. These elements make sure one can tell it is the Mini Electric. Up front, the grille and bumper get a brand-new design with air curtains on either side. This also makes the hatchback more aerodynamic. This is a subtle design difference.
However, there are other styling cues that are louder. For example, one just can’t miss the bright yellow accents that are scattered all over the EV. It is found on the grille, the ORVMs, and the wheel outline. Speaking of wheels, the 17-inch Power Spoke alloy wheels make a world of a difference to the design and might just be the best styling bit on the Mini Electric.
Other design details include a new side scuttle with the S badging and integrated LED turn signal indicators, At the rear, the electric Mini Cooper features a redesigned, wider rear bumper with the yellow ‘E’ Mini Electric badging on the tailgate.
Mini Electric Cooper Colour Options
The Mini Electric is available in four colour options:
– Moonwalk Grey- White Silver- Midnight Black
– British Racing Green
Without a doubt, the British Racing Green simply looks the best. The A, B & C-pillars are decked in Black and the roof too is finished in Black, irrespective of the colour opted for.
Mini Cooper Electric Motor & Battery Specs
This of course is where the biggest difference lies when it comes to differentiating it from the petrol-powered Mini Cooper. Powering the Mini Electric is a high-voltage, 96-cell battery that puts out 36.2kWh.
Though Mini Electric looks like a repurposed Mini Cooper, it is in reality a product developed from the ground up to be an EV. The aforementioned battery is mounted under the floor, thereby giving the hatchback better handling characteristics. This should also keep it in line with Mini’s legendary fun-to-drive character.
The battery pack powers a 135kW motor that puts out a peak torque figure of 270Nm. In other words, the electric motor has an output of 181.5bhp and 270Nm. The best part is that the torque comes in almost instantly and therefore, should make for explosive performance. Mini claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.3 seconds, which is pretty quick.
It is at the end of the day, an electric car and range matters a lot. The Mini Cooper electric boasts a range of 270 kilometres on one full charge. When it comes to charging times too, the Mini Electric is quick.
A 2.3kW AC charger can juice up the battery from 0-80 percent in 9 hours and 43 minutes. A more powerful 11kW charger does the same in 2 hours and 30 minutes. If you’re in a hurry though, a 50kW DC charger can charge it up to 80 percent in just 36 minutes. Mini will provide a Smart Wallbox charger free of cost with every Cooper SE.
Mini Cooper SE Interior & Features
The Mini 3-Door Cooper SE features sports seats with a combination of cloth and leatherette. The leather-wrapped steering wheel gets mounted controls and behind the steering wheel is a 5-inch multifunction instrument display.
Infotainment is handled by an 8.8-inch touchsreen that takes centre stage on the circular-themed dashboard in typical Mini fashion. You find bright yellow accents inside the Mini Electric too along with ambient lighting.
The MINI Wired Package comes as standard fitment. This includes features like navigation, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and the premium Harman Kardon audio system.
Safety features include front passenger airbags, brake assist, dynamic stability control, crash sensor, cornering brake control, ABS, run-flat tyres, etc.
The Mini 3-Door Cooper SE comes with a 2-Year and unlimited-kilometre warranty as standard. You also get 24×7 roadside assistance for 5 years. Servicing will be taken care of by 32 BMW group touchpoints across India.
Thoughts On Mini Cooper SE Being Launched In India
The Mini Cooper SE is the most premium electric hatchback on sale in India. For what seems like an expensive price tag, buyers get several premium features and much more. Also the electric powertrain is advanced and gives you top-notch performance. This might also be the most engaging electric vehicle in India from a driving enthusiast’s perspective.
Keyword: Mini 3-Door Cooper SE EV Launched In India At Rs 47.20 Lakh: All You Need To Know