What’s it?
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This can be a automobile which wants little introduction. The brand new Mini Cooper arrives using a tidal wave of recognition which extends again many years, with hundreds of drivers the world over having fun with this compact mannequin’s fun-focused method and retro-infused styling. Now, nonetheless, it’s time for a giant change – which is why this newest Cooper is launching in the beginning as an EV, although petrol alternate options can even be out there.
Initially in-built China – earlier than manufacturing shifts to Oxford in just a few years – this newest Mini arrives with some appreciable adjustments utilized to each its exterior and inside, in addition to an extended vary than the earlier battery-powered mannequin. We’ve been driving it in Spain to see what it’s like.
What’s new?
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There’s rather a lot that’s new with this Mini. It sits on a model new electrical platform – petrol variations are basically an up to date previous-generation Mini – which goals to permit nice inside house with out going overboard on the outside dimensions. In truth, this new electrical Cooper is a smidge shorter than its predecessor, although a achieve in peak helps to spice up headroom inside.
Inside, we’ve acquired the ultra-futuristic OLED show that we’ve additionally seen used within the newest Countryman, although Mini has nonetheless determined to suit some old-school fashion buttons and switches. The starter swap, as an illustration, has been designed to imitate a standard key. A rotary dial for the quantity is a welcome contact, too, and a nice break from a very screen-centric method that we’ve seen adopted elsewhere.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
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This electrical Mini shall be out there in two flavours – entry-level ‘E’ and higher-spec ‘SE’, the latter of which we’re driving as we speak – delivering respective ranges of 190 and 249 miles. We’d anticipate most drivers to go for the longer-range model, although that smaller-battery Mini may nonetheless present a viable – and cheaper – choice for city drivers.
A complete output of 215bhp is greater than sufficient for a automobile of this measurement and equates to a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds means it’s solely a fraction slower than the petrol-powered Cooper S. Mini quotes a 95kW most cost velocity for the SE – or 75kW for the E – which ought to imply a ten to 80 per cent cost in round half-hour. Count on round 5 hours for a full top-up when utilizing a 7kW residence charger. As talked about, there’s a petrol model of the Cooper out there, although that makes use of the identical platform and construction because the previous-generation automobile, albeit with a brand new exterior design and upgraded inside.
What’s it wish to drive?
Enjoyable has at all times been on the core of the Mini driving expertise and it’s pleasing to report that that is current on this newest Cooper. This newest automobile has a wider observe than earlier than to assist disguise a few of its weight – it is available in at round 1.7 tonnes – so via the bends the Cooper feels simply as eager as earlier than. As with all electrical automobile, the moment supply of torque helps to make the acceleration within the Mini really feel pressing, so from behind the wheel it finally ends up showing a bit of faster than these on-paper figures counsel.
We’d like a bit of extra chew from the brakes – and it could be fairly good to have some wheel-mounted paddles for the regenerative braking for some additional involvement – however this Cooper continues to have the grin-inducing means as its predecessor. It’s additionally good that Mini hasn’t gone down the route of a dual-motor setup like different EVs; it helps the Cooper to really feel a bit extra like a ‘conventional’ front-wheel-drive hatch consequently. Grip ranges have been good too – even on the unusually sodden Spanish roads we drove via.
How does it look?
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Properly, it appears to be like like a Mini, doesn’t it? It’s honest to say that earlier generations of Mini hatchbacks have taken a softly-softly method to redesigns, taking part in fairly near the mannequin which got here earlier than them. This new model incorporates the entire identical touches however switches issues up in just a few key areas. You may discover that the brand new Mini is now devoid of any chrome and there aren’t any plastic mouldings over the wheelarches both. The door handles now sit flush, too, and all of it makes the Mini fairly soap-bar easy.
The largest adjustments come across the again, the place this Mini Cooper appears to be like fully completely different to any fashions earlier than it. The lights are smaller and extra angular than earlier than, and you may configure them to point out completely different designs. Total, the brand new Cooper remains to be recognisable as a ‘Mini’, although we do really feel like its creators may’ve gone a bit additional and made this automobile smaller general – significantly when extra sensible Aceman and Countryman fashions can be found for many who want extra space.
What’s it like inside?
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Mini’s method to the cabin is remarkably stripped-back. All the things is centred across the massive OLED show within the centre, which is the place you’ll discover the huge quantity of features, controls and options. Fortunately, there are some bodily controls beneath for features such because the windscreen air flow and quantity, that are a lot simpler to make use of if you’re on the transfer. It’s nonetheless a small automobile this, too, so the house within the rear isn’t the best – although headroom is surprisingly good, even on vehicles with a sunroof.
Getting a automobile seat out and in of the rear seats will show to be a ache given the small quantity of house between the folded entrance chair and the door body, although fortunately all vehicles include a entrance ISOFIX as customary – in order that’s an choice should you’re trying to put a toddler seat within the Cooper. Whereas Mini has put a cool textured material on a great deal of key areas – dashboard included – it feels as if this might look grubby fairly rapidly.
What’s the spec like?
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Costs for the Mini Electrical begin at £30,000 for the usual ‘E’, rising to £34,500 for the Cooper SE. All variations, nonetheless, get loads of gear as customary, together with the big OLED show, heated steering wheel, two-zone air-con and a full navigation setup. On SE fashions, you additionally get heated entrance seats, an upgraded LED package deal and wi-fi charging. A normal head-up show is a helpful addition, too.
Three completely different trim ranges – Basic, Unique and Sport – carry a wide range of visible adjustments and upgrades. Basic, as an illustration, will get you that headline ‘Sunnyside Yellow’ exterior color and extra conventional silver Mini badges whereas Sport, as you may anticipate, makes issues extra dynamic with 18-inch John Cooper Works alloys in a two-tone design.
Verdict
Mini’s earlier electrical mannequin was a flawed oddity. It drove nicely however a tiny vary didn’t make it a viable different to its petrol model. Now, nonetheless, it feels as if the electrical mannequin is a fully-fledged Mini, offering the thrilling driving expertise that we anticipate alongside a cleverly packaged inside with a great deal of good options.
At simply over £34,000 it definitely isn’t low-cost – and with choices, it may rapidly climb greater – however maintain that value in verify by not going mad with the extras and it helps to make the electrical Mini Cooper a fascinating and attainable EV which feels simply as thrilling as its combustion-engined contemporaries.