Mini was one of the first manufacturers to introduce a fully electric vehicle, because already in 2008 they introduced the Mini E.
It had around 200 horsepower and did around 200 km on a single charge, pretty good figures for a car from back then.
However, they did have to remove the rear seat, so it wasn't really ready for production.
They've been thinking it through ever since and they've re-developed the battery technology. It's been twelve years, and right now...
we're standing next to the first production model. The Mini Cooper SE. 184 horsepower, a WLTP-range of 235 km, so it sounds like it didn't...
change a lot. However, the Mini E from 2008 didn't have a rear seat, but this does. The first difference of many.
The reason the Mini E didn't have a backseat in 2008, is because it was kind of a deluxe concept car.
All kinds of electric technology from Germany thrown in a British built Mini, so it wasn't ready for production. Now however, in 2020,
it is. Better yet, Mini says the SE will be built on the same production line as the other Mini's, because it's supposed to be a full member of...
the Mini-family. That means you have to notice it's electric by looking at details on the inside, but you're not supposed to be down on space.
That's a fabulous sentence, because a Mini isn't spacious to start with. Luckily, all of the space that used to be available is still available.
That means you've got the exact same amount of luggage space as in the regular Mini and there's a rear seat. Under that rear seat,
you'll find the same battery pack you'd find in a BMW i3 94A. It goes under here as well, so it's in a T-shape.
You really can't see anything out of place, so it's a true Mini. Also, when you start driving it, it'll feel like a true Mini as well.
Let's start with the electric motor, which is the 184 horsepower unit from the i3 S. I mean, there's a reason this is a Cooper SE instead of an E.
So it's supposed to offer some performance. And I have to say, when you set off... In a very fun way, which is very Mini, it's quite quick.
Not in a way you'd expect though, because electric cars usually get off the line quick before levelling out at higher speeds.
Funny enough, in the Mini it's kind of the other way around. When you set off, you might think it's a little down on power. You'd expect more from...
270 Nm of torque and 184 horsepower. But that's when it starts to pull. So when you're underway, it feels a lot faster than the factory spec of...
7,2 seconds. It's primarily inbetween sprints where it excels, when you need to fly through traffic or exit a corner.
It's incredibly direct and it involves you in the drive in a very fun manner. Again, it perfectly fits Mini's personality. They did a very good job.
The fun thing is, even though it's an electric car and having more weight to carry around... I mean, it's over 100 kg heavier than the regular Mini.
But despite that, the mass has been divided better across the front and rear axles. That means it has more of a 50/50 weight distribution.
Also, because the mass is lower in the car, it's a car which still drives like a Mini when it comes to the chassis.
It's all been changed, but it's on detail level. I mean, it's a tad higher on its wheels to prevent the battery packs scraping the tarmac...
You do notice there's more mass, but you'll notice in a controlled and direct manner. The steering is direct, there's lots of grip,
so it's what it promises to be. It's an electric Mini, and it drives like one. Having said that, this is one of the best driving electric cars available today.
So when it comes to the drivetrain, it's a very good combination between the sensible electric car and the fun thing that makes a Mini a Mini.
However, there's an elephant in the room. This SE is sharing parts with the BMW i3 S for its battery technology and electric motor,
but in the meantime, there's a bigger battery pack available for the i3 S. A 120 ampère-unit, whilst this one gets the 94 ampère-unit.
And I think that's because the bigger battery pack won't fit in this car. This car was never designed to drive fully electric.
And that means, with its 32,6 kWh, you'll have a range of around 235 kilometres. Right now I'm driving through Miami,
so there's a lot of city traffic. No motorways or anything, and I think you really have to try to get 200 km on a single charge.
And Mini is throwing all kinds of rational reasons at you. You're able to quickcharge up to 50 kW, you can use three-phase charging,
and the average Mini-customer doesn't use his Mini for those distances on a single day. And undoubtedly, it's all true, but who buys a Mini...
on rational reasons? That's never the case. And I don't know if daily Mini-drivers are willing to carefully plan out their daily journeys,
especially if this car costs around €36.000 to €40.000, depending on the trim. On the other hand, that money does get you...
the best driving electric car of this moment and the most fun way to show you like driving and the environment.