The MINI Cooper SE has been launched in
Thailand, and the brand’s first fully-electric car that one can buy from
showrooms is priced at 2.29 million baht in the Land of Smiles.
Unveiled in July 2019, the MINI Cooper SE
doesn’t look like an EV at first glance, but a typical MINI. Based on the
classic 3-Door version of the current F56 generation, the electric powertrain
is from the BMW i3s, but adapted for front-wheel drive (the i3S is rear-driven
and the motor lies at the back), with a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack
located in the floor.
Designed to fill up the underfloor space
vacated by the exhaust system, the battery’s gross energy content is 32.6 kWh
(net content is 28.9 kWh; 350.4 volt), and a solid base plate protects it from
the elements. The Cooper SE’s ride height has been raised by 18 mm to provide
more ground clearance for the battery. Weight wise, the Cooper SE is 145 kg
heavier (1,365 kg) than the Cooper S 3-Door automatic, but its centre of
gravity is lower.
The e-motor provides 184 hp at
7,000 rpm and 270 Nm of torque from 100 to 1,000 rpm. The 0 to 60 km/h sprint,
vital for a city runabout, is achieved in just 3.9 seconds, while 0-100 km/h is
done in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is capped at 150 km/h. The quoted range is up to
270 km. mFor charging, you’ll get a 11 kW onboard AC charger with a Type 2
connection. Juicing up can be done via a 7.4 kW MINI Electric Wallbox for a
single-phase AC outlet, and this takes 4.2 hours (or 3.2 hours to 80%). When
plugged into a 11 kW three-phase wallbox, a full charge requires 3.5 hours (or
2.5 hours to 80%). DC fast-charging is supported up to 50 kW, and it’ll take
just 35 minutes to get 80% from flat, or 1.4 hours from 0 to 100%.
Design wise, it’s a MINI 3-Door with
yellow highlights on the closed grille, wing mirror caps, scuttle plates and wheels.
The latter has a unique design for the EV. Inside, the familiar cabin is
accompanied by a new 5.5 inch digital instrument panel, a yellow start-stop
toggle, eDrive mode (Sport, Mid, Green, and Green+), yellow stitching, and
floor mats with the MINI Electric logo. The gear lever is also unique.
