Battery-powered MINI Cooper SE revealed
First all-electric MINI hatch set for 2020 release, but Australian prospects remain unclearMINI has lifted the lid on its new electric hatchback, the MINI Cooper SE.
The British car-maker’s first electric production vehicle incorporates a 135kW/270Nm electric motor which drives the front wheels.
Zero to 60km/h acceleration takes a claimed 3.9 seconds, while 100km/h is notched in 7.3 seconds and top speed is limited to 150km/h.
If those figures sound familiar, that’s because the MINI Cooper SE shares its electric drivetrain with the BMW i3.
The battery-powered three-door MINI’s all-important driving range, meanwhile, is rated between 235km and 270km, depending on which version of the 32.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack is specified.
With a 50kW DC charging station, the MINI’s battery can be 80 per cent replenished in 35 minutes. No household-rated AC charging times have been released.
MINI Australia hasn’t confirmed whether it will import the first all-electric MINI Down Under, where it has begun dabbling in electrification with the soft-launch of the MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid.
The use of battery power has imposed little to no compromise to the Cooper’s handling or packaging, says MINI.
The electric Cooper SE rides 18mm higher than its petrol-engined donor model to accommodate a battery pack mounted under the floor. The car-maker claims the car’s centre of gravity sits 30mm lower than the petrol equivalent.
Inside, MINI says the donor car’s 211-litre boot space is unchanged, extending to 731 litres with the split-fold seats stowed.
The MINI Cooper SE’s electric batteries ultimately add 145kg worth of heft compared with the petrol-powered equivalent, at 1365kg.
Overseas material suggests the MINI Cooper SE will be offered in a highly-specced grade comprising 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with nav, dual-zone climate control and a bespoke driver instrument cluster to reflect its green origins.
UK deliveries of the British-built hatch will commence from March. carsales is awaiting confirmation on the Australian prospects of the MINI Cooper SE, which BMW says has already attracted about 20,000 potential buyers globally.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
