Mini introduces its first fully-electric car, the Cooper SE

KUALA LUMPUR: It looks like Mini’s 60th anniversary is proving to be a great deal for customers and the future of the auto industry. While the former is supported by the introduction of the Mini Service + Repair Inclusive Programme (MSRI), and the later with the debut of Cooper SE.

The Mini Cooper SE is the brand’s first fully-electric car, and its introduction completely makes sense with electromobility being the focal point of the auto industry in today’s day and age. Before the Cooper SE, there was the Mini E, but that was produced in limited numbers (for private leasing only). While the latest Mini electric car to be more widely available.

As per the automaker, the Cooper SE offers the best of both worlds - it gets the F56 Mini 3 Door body and a zero-emission engine. Speaking of the powertrain, it comes with an electric motor that churns out 181 hp of power and 270 Nm of torque (identical to BMW i3s performance figures). However, the BMW EV is a rear-wheel drive, the Cooper SE is front wheel unit.

On the performance front, the Mini electric car can touch the 100 kmph mark in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 150 kmph. However, in the traffic condition, the Cooper SE can accelerate from rest to 60 kmph in 3.9 seconds. In addition, Mini says “over the first 60 metres, it effortlessly keeps pace with conventionally powered sports cars.”

The e-motor on the Cooper SE is powered by a lithium-ion cells high-voltage battery (with 32.6 kWh capacity) that is sub-divided into 12 modules. The T-shaped unit deep under the floor of the car is where the setup resides. With the said positioning of the battery, the car’s body is 18 mm higher from the ground compared to the Mini 3 Door. The luggage remains the same at 211-litre and 731-litre with rear seat folded down. As for the car’s weight, the Cooper SE is 145 kg heavier than the 3 Door, thus bringing the total to 1,365 kg.

The Mini electric car gets an 11-kW AC charger with a Type 2 connection, this allows for several charging options. The slowest way to charge the vehicle is via a household socket and standard single-phase charging cable. There’s also a 3-phase Mini Electric Wallbox with a charging capacity of 22 kW and a 3-phase cable to plug-in at public fast-charging AC stations.

The Mini Cooper SE is available with four driving modes-Sport, Green, Green+, and Mid. These Mini Driving Modes affect steering characteristic, comfort features like heating and air-con system, and responsiveness of the drive system.

Features/equipment on the Mini Cooper SE -

• Front grille with a smaller inlet (in yellow) & Mini Electric logo
• Yellow accents on charging door, side scuttles, and side mirror
• 16-inch light alloy wheels with Mini Elect RevoliteSpoke DESIGN
• 17-inch alloy wheels with Mini Electric Corona Spoke 2-tone version (optional)
• 5.5-inch digital instrument cluster display
• Yellow highlights on the push start button, steering wee, information controller, and gear lever

• Interior Style Mini Electric (optional)
• LED headlamps
• Dual-zone automatic air conditioning
• Pre-conditioning via the MINI Connected Remote App
• 6.5-inch touchscreen
• Interior Style MINI Dark (optional)
• Interior Style MINI Light (optional)
• Interior Style MINI Yours (optional)

With the introduction of the Cooper SE, the automaker now has two electric cars. The other Mini EV, the plug-in hybrid Countryman is available in Malaysia.