First all-electric MINI blends agile handling with high-torque, zero-emissions powertrain, making it a shoo-in for COTY contention
- Who will the MINI Electric appeal to?
- How much does the MINI Electric cost?
- What have we already said about the MINI Electric?
Why is the MINI Electric a carsales COTY contender?
The MINI Electric – or Cooper SE, as it is also known – is the first zero-emissions model to spring from the BMW-owned British brand and successfully manages to blend its trademark go-kart handling with an electric powertrain that is not only clean but loads of fun to drive.
And going green doesn’t have to mean feeling like George Jetson from behind the wheel, whether that’s the looks you get from outside or what’s presented within.
This is all typically modern-era MINI (sans traditional gear shifter), with thick layers of retro charm and creature comforts, served up with a good dose of engineering sophistication and modern technology.
It’s a combination that makes it a worthy carsales Car of the Year contender for 2020, proudly presented by Bingle.
Who will the MINI Electric appeal to?
MINI has a loyal band of enthusiast owners, and would-be owners, who are drawn to its classic design cues and the promise of a fun and fulfilling experience behind the wheel.
As we’ve seen with the first batch of only about 100 vehicles, Australian consumers clearly agree with the idea of a zero-emissions model from the brand – be they MINI lovers, trendsetters, technophiles, the labels really don’t matter.
Most cars were snapped up within the first week the EV went on sale (online), with the rest accounted for shortly thereafter.
MINI Australia makes no bones about the fact the Electric is really only suited to inner-city dwellers, mainly due to the fact that its driving range between recharges on the WLTP cycle is just 233km – well down on its rivals such as the Nissan LEAF (270km) or Hyundai IONIQ Electric (311km).
Our real-world testing shows that the official 233km figure is also highly optimistic.
There’s no range-extender plug-in hybrid option like there was on the related BMW i3, for example, before the REX variant was axed, which means the MINI Electric is still perfect for zipping around town, nipping in and out of traffic, but not our first choice when planning a long country drive.
How much does the MINI Electric cost?
The MINI Electric is priced from $54,800 plus on-road costs, or $59,900 drive-away, although strong early demand and strictly limited supply mean that any orders placed today will require waiting until the second quarter of 2021 for delivery.
We’ve already mentioned the limited (233km) range from its 32.6kWh lithium-ion battery. Other key figures surrounding the powertrain include the 135kW/270Nm available from its electric motor, which the car-maker claims can send the EV to 100km/h in a perky 7.3 seconds.
It takes around 12 hours to fully charge the MINI Electric from a regular domestic power point, down to about 2.5 hours with an 11kW wallbox charger. The maximum charging rate is 50kW on a fast-charger, such as those found at public recharging stations, which can add an 80 per cent charge in 36 minutes, according to MINI.
A high level of specification is attached to the full-electric hatch, with headline features running to an 8.8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with navigation and real-time traffic information, a digital instrument cluster, head-up display, Harman Kardon stereo, Apple smartphone mirroring with wireless charging pad, leather upholstery, front seat heating, adaptive LED headlights and 17-inch Power Spoke two-tone alloy wheels.
What have we already said about the MINI Electric?
At the international launch of the MINI Electric, Feann Torr found the EV didn’t push the tech boundaries but would still push all the right buttons for many prospective buyers.
“MINI’s objective was to create a car that looks and feels like a MINI Cooper. To deliver a familiar product, not something radical … Mission accomplished,” he said.
Once the car reached Australia, Ken Gratton also found plenty to like, particularly “the way the motor stumps up a great wad of torque from low speeds through to open-road velocities”.
“Floor the accelerator and the three-door MINI Electric hatch provides immediate response. There’s zero hesitation and the acceleration is vibrant and effectively linear,” he said.
There’s a lot to love about MINI’s first EV, and some cautionary notes about its real-world practicality given the limited driving range. The time is right for a deeper assessment with our 2020 carsales Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle.
MINI Cooper SE Hatch First Edition at a glance: Price: From $54,800 Powertrain: Synchronous electric motor Output: 135kW/270Nm Battery: 32.6kWh lithium-ion Range (WLTP): 233km
Energy consumption: 28.9kWh
Keyword: MINI Electric: carsales Car of the Year 2020 contender