The fourth generation of the Mini Cooper made its first appearance last year in its most powerful SE guise with a full-spec configuration. Now, Mini shows us the cheaper and less powerful Cooper E in the entry-level Classic trim that highlights the minimalist nature of its design. Starting with the technical specifications, the Mini Cooper E is powered by a front-mounted electric motor producing 181 hp and 290 Nm of torque. This is down 34 hp and 40 Nm compared to the Cooper SE. Still, it is good enough to propel the EV from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The battery pack is also smaller, with a capacity of 40.7 kWh (instead of 54.2 kWh) offering a WLTP range of 305 km between charges. The Cooper E has a slightly slower charging rate than the SE, but its smaller battery pack can still go from 10 to 80 percent in 28 minutes of charging from a 75 kW DC outlet.
A visit to the official configuration in
the UK shows that the entry-level Mini Cooper E Classic looks a bit different
from the one that appears in the press shots. The starting price of the EV is
£ 30,000 (US$ 37,715), but the vivid Sunny Side Yellow paint adds £ 550 (US$ 694),
while another £ 550 (US$ 694) is needed for the 17-inch wheels. Thankfully, the stylish
white finish on the roof and mirror caps is a no-cost option, as with the
black.
The pictured example also appears to come
equipped with the optional “Level 2” package that includes amenities like the
adaptive LED headlights, a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, and the
Active Cruise Control system, adding another £ 4,000 (US$ 5,043) to the price.
Inside, the Vescin synthetic leather upholstery with the “perforated
houndstooth pattern” is included in the standard kit, as with the 9.44-inch
circular OLED touchscreen display which runs on the new Mini Operating System
9.
As a reminder, the fully electric Mini
Cooper E and SE are joined by the ICE-powered Mini Cooper and Cooper S models
that march on after yet another facelift. The update brought them closer to
their EV-only counterparts in terms of styling and technology, although they
are based on different underpinnings.
