BMW's all-electric Mini Cooper rolls onto the scene in March 2020

[Shawn Knight]

Bottom line: While better for the environment and perhaps potentially cheaper to operate, the new Mini Cooper SE won't be as fun to drive as earlier supercharged and turbo-powered models with a zero to 62 mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed that is limited to just 93.2 mph.

We’ve been hearing about BMW’s all-electric Mini Cooper for years. A production model was originally slated to arrive in 2019 with redesigned headlights, premium wheels and an updated front bumper but at some point, the company went back to the design room to tone things down a bit.

On Tuesday, BMW announced that the newly tamed Mini Cooper SE will roll onto the scene next year. It’ll sport an electric motor with 135 kW (181 HP) and 270 Nm. (199 lb-ft) of power feeding to the front wheels which should provide drivers with the unmistakable go-kart feeling (BMW’s words, not mine) they expect from a Mini.

Model-specific lithium-ion batteries will be housed deep in the vehicle floor between the front seats and below the rear seats, maximizing the car’s center of gravity with no reduction in usable luggage space. With the batteries and all, it weighs 3,009 pounds – or only 319 pounds more than the Mini Cooper S 2 door hardtop with Steptronic transmission. Range is rated at 235 to 270 kilometers (146 miles to 167.7 miles) depending on model.

The 2020 Mini Cooper SE will be offered in three trim levels – Signature, Signature Plus and Iconic – which include a combination of exterior finishes, light alloy wheels, interior fittings and seat upholstery. Buyers will also have the option to add features and equipment like connected navigation.

Pricing starts at £24,400 (around $30,400) with the first models set for delivery in March 2020.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/80864-bmw-all-electric-mini-cooper-rolls-onto-scene.html

 

[VitalyT]

I drove one of these in the past, and thought the car had the ugliest dash I've ever seen. And guess what, it hasn't changed. On the inside it still looks like it was designed by a Salvador Dali wannabe.

 

[Vulcanproject]

Ok, it has the Cooper name on it, but 'SE' is blatantly not 'S', and so performance is not going to be as good as the range toppers.

However 0-60 in 7.3s is not slow. That's well above average for most cars on the road today. It'll also probably feel pretty rapid because responsiveness of electric cars is basically unmatched by combustion engine vehicles. Instant torque and instant throttle.

It is acceleration above 70 mph that likely tails off quite quickly as with many electric cars. Indeed the point is usually how fast do you need to go in a road car? 70mph is quite enough for most people buying this machine.

It's always the range that is the primary issue with electric cars. This looks fairly mediocre for the price they want.

 

[Uncle Al]

Sorry, without the performance and proper range it will be a simple flop .....

 

[VitalyT]

Sorry, without the performance and proper range it will be a simple flop .....

I'd write this one off as a flop for the looks alone, but that's just me

 

[cliffordcooley]

At least it looks better than a VW.

 

[tkabou]

Ranges like this may be decent for metropolitan areas or European cities, but stuff like this won't fly in the US.

 

[ShObiT]

Bring it to Dominican Republic, I'll sell the Hell of my Hyundai and get one!

 

[netman]

Sorry, without the performance and proper range it will be a simple flop .....

This is more than enough for commute and being a city car. It isn't designed for travel between cities and its range will not improve substantially overtime. It is a youth/student car. It will not be a flop if BMW has improved its reliability as the gasoline version sucks in that department...