Since it was relaunched in 2001, Mini’s success can be put down to BMW’s willingness to make the new versions as drivable as the original & to fit them with retro Mini fixtures & fittings. Up to now they’ve definitely succeeded but the introduction of a new electric Mini with bigger heavier batteries could put that drivability to the test. We spent some time in the Cooper E & SE & here’s what we found out.
Model choice
Two versions E & SE. The Cooper E comes with usable battery capacity of 36.6kWh, up from 28.9kWh in the outgoing Mini Electric. This means it offers a WLTP combined electric range of 190 miles. The Cooper SE’s usable battery capacity is larger 49.2kWh, & comes with a WLTP combined range of up to 249 miles.
Prices
Cooper E from £30,000, Cooper SE from £34,500.
Exterior
They’re Mini’s but perhaps not as cute or as recognisable as such, with a much more paired down aesthetic. No fog lights, plastic wheel arches or chunky chrome door handles adorn the new model. It’s more streamlined with a less upright windscreen & features a less exciting front grille with new corner rear lights & front circular headlights being offered.
Interior
Quite spartan compared to my 55 plate Cooper bar the textile inspired dashboard front which runs the width of the car & onto the door panels. Slim horizontal air vents & the circular speedo infotainment screen are the only instrumentation on the dash, with some neat toggle switches located underneath.These include the starter button, driving modes ( Experiences ) & gear lever. Beneath this on our SE test car, was a portrait phone charging pad, twin cup holders, an armrest & a storage space with movable covered lid that goes from front to rear through the centre of the car.The interior door handles are chrome, narrow & cleverly hidden low down. The quality throughout is excellent & to keep up Mini’s green credentials, much of what’s used is from recycled textiles.
Practicality
There”s a touch more room in the rear than the original Mini Electric, whilst up-front you now sit a little higher to accommodate the battery. Front seat passengers get loads of seat adjustment too, whilst in the back headrooms okay it’s your legs that may feel cramped. It’s a small car so space under the boot floor is a plus for cable storage as are decent front door pockets & a small glove box. Boot space is only 210 litres below the parcel shelf. The rear seats fold down in a 60/40 split with the height adjustable boot floor allowing flat access to the load bay.
Charging
The Cooper SE has a maximum charging speed of 95kW from a public charging point. That means a 10-80% top-up will take around 30 minutes. The Cooper E only charges at 70kW so the miles will be added more slowly.
Specification
Choose from three trim levels; Classic, Exclusive or Sport. Entry level Classic features LED headlights, a heated steering wheel, cruise control & two-zone climate control. If you’re prepared to buy the Level 1 extras package (£2000) that’s standard on Exclusive & Sport, you’ll add a head-up-display, customisable front & rear light signatures, keyless entry, power-folding door mirrors, wireless phone-charging & heated front seats.
Exclusive trim adds additional exterior design elements, such as the option for a multi-tone roof with a combination of three different colours, as well as offering the front grille in Vibrant Silver. Sport trim uses high-gloss black as the frame for the front grille & logo colour with a contrasting Chilli Red roof & red/black bonnet stripes as further options. Adding Level 2 & 3 packs brings more goodies but pushes the price into £40k territory.
Infotainment
The system fitted to the Cooper electric is called the MINI ‘Interaction Unit’ & it runs an Android based System 9 operating software. This has been specifically designed to look & feel similar to a modern smartphone, so you can stream video & play games on it too. It also offers the MINI Experience Modes whereby you can configure different settings Core, Green, Go-Kart, Vibrant, Timeless, Balance & Personal. Only three though, Go-Kart, Core & Green actually change the way the Cooper Electric drives, by either altering the levels of regenerative braking allowing for an increased range, lightening or tightening the steering most noticeable in town & will increase or decrease accelerator response, something you’ll get hooked on in Go Kart mode.
The circular display is in keeping with Mini’s heritage with the operating system, graphics & speed all very impressive. You also have an avatar in the voice control system. Either a Bulldog or a cartoon Mini which would certainly appeal to the kids. We only spent an afternoon fiddling & over time you’ll realise just how in depth the whole set-up is, so just beware of getting lost in the systems sub-menus.
Driving
We’d all like to think that driving a Mini will offer up fun & excitement but my own Cooper diesel from 2005 never did either. It was & felt heavy & the diesel engine just wasn’t powerful enough to offer hot-hatch driving. The electric Mini’s are even heavier. The Cooper E tips the scales at 1540kg , the SE at 1615kg (the old Mini Electric came in at 1326kg). But whilst some have poo pooed them both as less fun to drive than what went before, we’d have to politely disagree.
The Cooper Electrics are great fun with that hugging the road feel that many electric cars offer. Yes you can feel the battery weight & yes over poor road surfaces there are perhaps more jolts than in the petrol Cooper, but ultimately Mini have made a pretty good fist of making the latest electric Mini’s enjoyable to drive.
In reality even at 1540kg, compared to most, it’s actually a light EV, so don’t be put off by the fidgety ride on bad tarmac as all EV’s are more or less the same. And as a motorway companion we had no issues whatsoever although with four adults on board it will feel a little cramped.
Pros
A much improved range over the Mk 1 electric mini. BIK of just 2%. Good fun to drive. Top quality interior & safety are a bonus & the retro touches are clever as well.
Cons
Fidgety ride on poor road surfaces. If you want a lot of goodies things start to get expensive. The infotainment is good but perhaps too many functions are controlled via the circular touchscreen. The exterior isn’t as fun anymore.
Verdict
Whilst many company car drivers are seeking a 300 mile plus electric company car, the Cooper Electric will appeal to those who don’t drive long distances but want a fun & good looking car to drive every day. And of course in either spec, it’s very company car tax friendly.
Some Mini aficionados whilst seduced by the retro toggle switches & infotainment screen, may not be as keen on the spartan exterior, but it’s handling, ride & performance offer a large dollop of Mini DNA & that’s good enough for us.
A treacle sponge with custard 4.25/5
