Test drive MINI Cooper SE: Sir Еlec

Driving a promising all-electric version of the iconic Briton

More than 60 years ago, Sir Alec Isigonis invented the Mini, a no-nonsense, four-person coupe that was designed down to the last inch. What are the chances of the concept of the first-ever all-electric Cooper?

First impressions

There are few cars that can afford such doses of extravagance, bold ideas and pioneering spirit without being leveled and made a laughingstock. This time more than Mini - different and unconventional, crazy and original, fast and confident.

Why not electric? The answer to this question is provided by the new Mini Cooper SE, which tries to combine the style and spirit of Mini with an electric drive, thus creating a product that is meaningful, practical and attractive enough. Sounds promising theory and turns out to be convincing enough in practice.

Outside, differences with other members of the family were relatively limited - a closed aerodynamic grille with a clear bright yellow stripe, side mirrors in the same color, an embossed "electric" emblem on the "tank" lid, a few more small decorations and, of course, the absence of exhaust pipes ...

Only the SE has retained the asymmetrical aerodynamic wheels (the one whose name has recently been changed from "Corona Spoke" to "Power Spoke"). In the test car, the sporty JCW version was replaced with a black mat, which certainly does not violate the stylistic harmony.

Typical Mini styling is demonstrated by the interior with an egg-shaped, fully digital dashboard, and at first glance, functional differences from a classic car powered by an internal combustion engine. The graphics and meter readings are naturally different, but the otherwise electric nature of the SE in the cabin is reminiscent of only a few bright yellow accents.

Rich equipment

What gives the car a much stronger impression is the extremely rich equipment. The Cooper SE's Trim S baseline includes front LED headlights, dual-zone heat pump air conditioning, real-time navigation, Connected services and all kinds of information systems: battery level, distance traveled, charging options and much more. All this at a price of 63 euros. And this is a serious concern in the ranks of the electric competition.

And not only in them. In the city, the Cooper SE can use the potential of its 184 hp. and 270 Nm in such a way that it is completely unique and unfeasible for 99,9% of simple samples with a conventional drive.

The first places at traffic lights belong to the all-electric Mini, which reach and exceed the traditional speed limits in the city really lightning fast - in 3,9 seconds, from 0 to 60 km / h. No noise, no tension, no loss of traction. This is not surprising, because the DSC electric motor has a much more direct path to intervene and control the rotation of the drive wheels than the internal combustion engine and its complex systems.

Low center of gravity

It should also not be forgotten that the heavy 200 kg battery pack increases the weight of the Cooper SE to 1,4 tonnes - almost 150 kg more than its ICE counterparts. And although changes in the height of the car by 2 centimeters are almost invisible to the naked eye, the positive effect of the lower center of gravity is felt well, both in dynamics on the road and in ride comfort.

Unlike the BMW i3, whose electric motors are used in the SE, the CATL Mini battery contains several segments. The configuration of the kit with 33 kWh (28,9 kWh net) does not affect either passenger seats or boot volume in the electric version compared to the regular model.

The driver can program the operation of the tract block completely depending on his desires. Regeneration, for example, can reach a level (Green +) where only the accelerator pedal is sufficient for acceleration and deceleration. But if you're in the mood, the SE is able to turn the page and show that the electric Mini is still a Mini with all the traditional advantages in terms of driving dynamics and behavior.

Of course, when fully loaded, the dynamic potential of the autonomous run will not reach the ceiling of 270 km, but under normal operation in urban and suburban conditions, 200 km is a completely realistic value. Even in winter conditions or with very ambitious driving style, mileage is unlikely to drop much below the 150 km limit on a single charge.

The latter is not a problem because the Cooper SE is equipped with the CCS fast charging system. Such 50 kW stations allow you to restore 80% of the charge in just 35 minutes, and a full charge takes 1,4 hours. Naturally, it is also possible to use a home wall module Wallbox with 11 kW (80% in 2,5 hours, 100% in 3,5 hours), working from a standard household outlet.

Conclusion

The Electric Mini arrives just in time to fill the completely empty, bottomless niche of electric city transport - a compact model with dynamic ambition. This Cooper SE has its rightful place in the electric vehicle family and is a worthy defender of Sir Isigonis' concepts.