Mini Cooper SE
The electric Mini Cooper SE is BMW’s first all-electric car since the BMW i3. It was unveiled on July 9, 2019. Production at the Oxford plant will start in November with first deliveries planned for March 2020.
Aesthetically, the MINI Cooper SE is similar to the conventional, three-door variant. Designers retained some of the signature cues like the Union Jack pattern in the taillights. However, the front grille is closed (no combustion engine so no cooling is necessary) and the rear bumper is revised (there are no tailpipes, of course). When you open the doors, you’ll find the same yellow accents that highlight the exterior, most notably on the start-stop button, shifter and floor mat stitching. It’s also the brand’s first model to feature a fully digital cockpit.
Compared to the gas-powered MINI Cooper, this new car is 18 mm taller due to the 32-kWh battery pack mounted under the floor, which contributes to a low centre of gravity. Output is rated at 184 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, allowing 0-100 km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds. Range is announced at 230 km based on the WLTP standard used in Europe and other markets. The EPA rating for North America has yet to be released, but according to MINI Canada, it will likely be 15-20 percent lower than that. Charging takes more than 20 hours using a regular power outlet, but drops to eight hours when the car is plugged into a 240V outlet. DC fast charging is possible at up to 50 kW and it only takes 35 minutes to bring the battery to 80 percent.