“The excellent overall result and the fact that every tenth new MINI is fully electric show that our strategy for the future is setting the right priorities,” says Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI Brand. “The MINI community is growing, and it is moving towards electromobility with great strides.”

It’s nice to see the MINI Cooper SE getting some love. It’s certainly a flawed car, with a range of just 110 miles. To be perfectly honest, that’s just not good enough in today’s market, when even other budget EVs, such as the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf, are pushing 200 miles. However, the MINI Cooper SE is cheap — it’s actually the cheapest EV in America — and it is small. So it makes for a great city car, for customers that barely drive 20 miles per day. Someone in a tight urban environment would be fine with the MINI Cooper SE’s range.

More importantly, it still feels like a MINI. Its steering is sharp, its chassis is playful, and its compact size makes it easy to slice through city traffic with. With 181 horsepower from its front-mounted electric motor, it’s zippy, too. Its range is an issue but it seems that more and more customers are appreciating the MINI Cooper SE for its good qualities, rather than its bad ones. Hopefully, this leads to some improved EVs from MINI in the near future.

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Today, MINI is offering us their own spy photos of the next generation MINI electric hatch. A fully camouflaged MINI was presented to the press revealing the proportions of the next MINI. The proportions are important this time around since sources say that the MINI hatch lineup will allegedly be split in two. On one side we could see a MINI hatch powered by combustion engines. Those models will be larger in size than their electric counterparts. The next MINI electric hatch is rumored to be slightly smaller than the petrol-powered models and will be produced by BMW and Great Wall Motors in China. It’s also likely that the MINI electric hatch will be built on a separate platform than the petrol-powered models.

All other MINI hatch models will continue to be manufactured at the MINI Plant in Oxford, while the next generation MINI Countryman will move its production in 2023 to the BMW Group Plant Leipzig. MINI is assuming that electric vehicles will already make up 50 percent of total global sales of MINI by 2027. In 2025, the last new MINI model powered with a combustion engine will come onto the market. At the beginning of the 2030s, MINI will be an all-electric brand.

Design wise, this new MINI electric hatch seems to stay true to the brand’s design DNA. It retains the typical sporty hatch proportions, but some of the exterior design elements are likely different than what MINI has shown us in these “official spy photos.” We expect a different set of headlights and taillights, along with other design cues typical to an electric car. The spy shots don’t show the interior design, naturally, but the curved screens seen in BMW models are likely to appear as well. We expect other tech updates as well, from the latest infotainment system at BMW Group to advanced driving assistance features.

We don’t currently have any solid information on the electric drivetrain and driving range, but we certainly expect the next generation of BMW batteries to provide more range than the current 110 miles in the MINI Cooper SE.

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But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With over 12 fully electric models by 2023, BMW has a target of increasing its sales of fully electric vehicles by an average of more than 50 per cent per year through to 2025. By then, the BMW Group plans to have nearly two million fully electric vehicles on roads worldwide.

BMW will unveil in a few weeks the all-new i4 Gran Coupe, along with the iX electric crossover. The former will directly take on the Tesla Model 3 – one of the strongest performers in the segment – while the iX goes after the plethora of electric crossovers that have recently emerged. Additional variants and new models will arrive in 2022-2023, including the 7 Series electric i7, i5 business sedan, iX1 entry-level EV, MINI Countryman and GP.

Markets like China – where the electric segment is rapidly growing – will receive additional models, including a rumored 3 Series electric and some MINI products. By 2025, BMW will revamp its entire electric cars strategy and technology. The automaker already announced a new platform – working name Neue Klasse. The EV-centric platform will host a new range of vehicles, from a new iX3 to more electric crossovers. There are also rumors of the next 3 Series going all-electric and/or hybrid, but that’s still on the strategy board for now.

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According to the BMW Group, MINI is already migrating towards an all-electric future, as pieces have already been set in motion. 2025 will mark the last year when a new MINI model will be launched using an internal combustion engine. By 2027, MINI is expecting to see fully electric vehicles account for more than 50 percent of its sales and, if the sales of the MINI Cooper SE model are anything to go by, that target will be easily achieved.

Furthermore, the first all-electric alternative part of this new plan will be the Countryman. MINI also confirmed today the next generation of the British crossover will be available with a fully electric model in the line-up. The Countryman will be built in Leipzig starting with 2023.

Additionally, BMW also announced that a wide range of the MINI electric models planned for future launch will be built in China, in collaboration with local manufacturer, Great Wall Motors, starting with 2023. This is yet a long-time coming bit of news as the two companies have been negotiating this move for several years. This way, Great Wall Motors will become the second Chinese car maker the BMW Group is in business with after Brilliance Automotive.

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­The aerodynamic solution for the MINI Cooper SE 3-door consists of the easy-to-fit black front splitter, which noticeably improves the downforce values of the MINI. AC Schnitzer says that this splitter can be fitted without any further painting. It is made of the polymer ASA and is characterized by its particularly high strength, rigidity and weather resistance. Of course, should any customer desire, the splitter can be painted in any color.

The program is light on aero bits, so for now, the splitter is the only part available. The only two other visual things you can order now are the AC Schnitzer decal set and AC Schnitzer rear skirt protection foil. But the MINI Cooper SE project hasn’t stopped there.

Due to the higher vehicle weight of the MINI Cooper SE, the suspension spring kit has been completely redeveloped. The lowering of the vehicle’s centre of gravity by approx. 25 – 35 mm at the front and approx. 20 – 30 mm at the rear, results in a noticeable increase in driving dynamics and cornering handling. No AC Schnitzer project would be complete without their custom wheels. Therefore, this MINI Cooper SE is fitted with the AC Schnitzer AC1 wheels in size 7.5 x 19″ wrapped in 215/35 R 19 non-run-flat-tires.­ ­ ­
For the interior of the MINI Cooper SE, the AC Schnitzer aluminum pedals and the aluminum cover “Black Line” for the controller of the iDrive system are available. ­

[Photos: AC Schnitzer]

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Changes start on the outside where the new variant comes painted in Island Blue metallic that hasn’t been offered up until now on the Cooper SE. Mini also has Rooftop Grey as an alternate color, while the roof transitions from San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black from front to rear. To separate it from a regular Cooper SE, the BMW-owned brand has added hood and side stripes, although if we’re being honest, they’re barely visible.

The Electric Collection rides on 17-inch alloy wheels with dark surfaces complementing a variety of high-gloss black accents noticeable on the grille, headlight and taillight surround, and door handles. Mini has also blacked-out the badges, the model’s name on the tailgate, and even the side scuttles, which is marketing speak for the fake vents on the front fenders.

As standard, the special edition gets matrix LED headlights as standard equipment along with fancy door sill trims adorned with a printed “Mini Electric” logo. Images of the interior have not been provided, but we do know the Electric Collection boasts sports seats covered in a combination of light gray fabric and leatherette, while the headliner has an anthracite finish. Rounding off the changes is a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel spruced up with a “Mini Electric” logo.

At an additional cost, customers can order the new Electric Collection with a heated steering wheel for the first time on the Cooper SE. There’s also a Connected Navigation Plus package encompassing wireless charging, a head-up display, and other content. Go for the optional Driver Assistance Package and you’ll get a Lane Departure Warning system, while the upgraded Driver Assistance Package Plus pack adds Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go functionality.

Since the Electric Collection is all about visual and equipment upgrades, there are no changes “under the hood.” It gets the same electric motor with 184 horsepower (135 kilowatts), 270 Newton-meters (199 pound-feet) of torque, and a WLTP-certified range of up to 234 kilometers.

Source: Mini

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Top Gear is currently running a MINI Electric as part of its long-term test fleet and, unfortunately, it’s averaging less than 100 miles of range per full charge. Even back in 2014, the BMW i3 was criticized for not getting 100 miles of range in the real world. So less than 100 miles of real-world range is really unacceptable in 2021.

Sure, most commutes are under 40 miles round trip, so it’s enough to shuttle people back and forth to work. But it’s literally no good for anything other than that. As TG’s Jason Barlow points out, for anything other than short work commutes, the MINI Electric isn’t capable enough. He even had to borrow a fellow staffer’s long-term for a short road trip.

Another issue is that driving the MINI hard drastically reduces that range even further. While that’s typical and expected, the whole point of buying a MINI over any other compact EV is to have some fun while driving. So what’s the point of having a MINI Electric if you can’t drive it hard or you won’t be able to make it home from work?

Of course, the MINI Electric is more of a city car and long range isn’t really its bag. Plus, it’s quite cheap, at least here in the U.S. where it starts at just under $30,000. But in a time when a Hyundai Kona Electric can do 258 miles of range for not much more money, it makes the MINI seem seriously old-fashioned.

[Source: Top Gear]

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The two cars might be similar on paper; the MINI has a 28.9 kWh battery while the Honda has a 35.5 kWh pack, they both have relatively small ranges of 110 miles and 124 miles, respectively and they’re both quite similar in size. However, their approaches to EV driving are quite different. The MINI Electric is based on the standard MINI Cooper, just with a BMW i3 powertrain stuffed inside. While the Honda E is built on a bespoke EV architecture. The MINI is also front-wheel drive while the Honda is rear-wheel drive.

But it’s more than just their configurations. The MINI is designed to drive and feel like a proper MINI. So it’s sporty and fun to chuck around. While the Honda is just designed to be pleasant, comfortable and quirky. The Honda is fun, too, just in its own silly way.

Ironically, the Honda E, despite being a bespoke-built EV, is large and yet it has less cargo space. Though, in its defense, it has two extra doors and a larger back seat. Still, it’s the bigger car on the road.

Having said that, this new video review from Autocar actually reckons that the Honda E is the better car to own. Sure, its range is small and it’s slower and less engaging than the MINI but there’s a charming character to the little electric Honda that makes it incredibly endearing. While the MINI actually seems like bad value, because you can get a standard gas-powered Cooper for less money that’s more fun, the Honda E seems entirely unique and interesting. When it comes to EVs, that stuff matters. Also, look at it — it’s adorable.

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At the moment, MINI is currently working on creating the aforementioned combination of the MINI Cooper SE and the JCW GP, two cars that on their own have immense potential but fall a bit short of greatness. Coming together, however, might just create the best FrankenMINI we never thought of.

The idea behind the car is simple: take a MINI Cooper SE, with its 181 horsepower, front-mounted electric motor, add some power and fit it with all of the same chassis, suspension aero bits from the MINI JCW GP, thus creating a MINI Electric GP.

As far as specs; range, power and performance; we don’t have any. However, according to our extremely reliable source, this car is happening, is green-lit and is currently under development. There are still some questions about power and range that we’re eagerly awaiting answers to, however. For instance, is it going to have enough power to actually necessitate GP suspension and chassis upgrades? The MINI Cooper SE is a fun car but it has nowhere near enough power to warrant such a capable setup.

Also, will it pack more range than the Cooper SE? That car barely cracks 100 miles on a single charge. With ‘GP’ branding and equipment, you’d expect the new electric hot-hatch to be capable of lapping a track quite well but track duty rapidly depletes battery life. So it’s going to need some more juice if it wants to be a proper GP. Thankfully, with a chassis and suspension as capable as the GP’s, it could likely handle the added weight of a bigger battery pack without issue.

We can’t wait to learn more about the MINI Electric GP. The idea of an electric hot-hatch from MINI is a great one and has the potential to be an absolutely brilliant car, if done properly. You’ll get more details as we do.

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The car is fully integrated into the production process at Oxford, running down the same line as the combustion engine models, joining the MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid. These two models have proved extremely popular in the UK and together account for 19 per cent of worldwide electrified MINI sales. A quarter of all UK MINI Countryman orders are for the plug-in hybrid version.

David George, Director, MINI UK, said “We’re delighted the MINI Electric is such a success in the UK and that our customers love the car as much as we do. It’s fantastic to see the growing popularity of electrified vehicles – the UK already accounts for nearly a fifth of global MINI Electric and MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid sales and we know that demand is increasing.”

The production plans call for a third of MINI 3-Door Hatch models built at Plant Oxford to be the fully-electric model.

The MINI Cooper SE has a 184 hp (135kW) electric motor that makes 199 lb-ft of torque and is the same motor used in the BMW i3. The MINI Cooper SE, however, will be typical MINI and front wheel drive versus an i3 which is rear-wheel drive. Being a pure EV, means the center of gravity is lower and as such compared to a typical MINI Cooper, the center of gravity drops by 30mm. The car has a 50-50 weight distribution in-line, due to the battery packaging.

While the BMW i3 runs the 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, the MINI Cooper SE does it in 6.9. Top speed on the MINI Cooper SE is 93 vs. 98 mph in the i3.

MINI’s battery technology is also inherited from the i3, but instead of the latest 120Ah pack, the Cooper SE gets by with a 94Ah modified in a T-shape to fit the car’s layout. Therefore, the MINI Cooper SE has battery pack of 32.6 kWh and 28.9 kWh net.

The official EPA rating puts the MINI Cooper SE at 110 miles while the latest BMW i3 at 153 miles.

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