The covers have come off the all-new MINI Cooper, revealing a sharper-looking and minimal design as it launches as a purely electric model. The signature styling has a fresh twist that brings a cleaner look with circular LED daytime running lights. Chrome detailing is gone from the car, and there's no longer a bonnet scoop. The 'grille' is surrounded by a new octagonal frame, with the base of the bumper gaining a gloss black finish that runs around the bottom of the car.
Continuing the contemporary design are new door handles that contribute to a more aerodynamic profile as they sit flush with the bodywork. The rear light units can be switched to one of three different designs. An extended wheelbase boosts interior space and enhances the car's proportions as the wheels appear further towards each corner than before.
Homely interior keeps circle theme
MINI has made the interior of the new Cooper Electric feel more homely through the use of textiles on the doors and dashboard. The latter is available with a black and grey material featuring a houndstooth pattern.
While there is no instrument panel directly in front of the driver, an optional head-up display is available. A two-spoke steering wheel features multifunction controls and has a textile strap on its base.
A new infotainment system uses a circular OLED touchscreen, offering greater connectivity and a more personalised experience than previously available in the MINI. Along with several selectable modes, owners can upload their favourite image to the home screen via the MINI app. An optional 5G connection brings always-online features to the car, including information about chargers, traffic jams and even games that can be played while the vehicle is charging.
More space inside has been created by moving some of the controls from between the front seats onto a panel beneath the OLED screen. Chunky toggle switches include a drive selector for the automatic transmission, selectable driving modes and the start button. It's a smart way of grouping these controls and serves as a nod to the original Mini.
Interior ambient lighting appears beneath the dashboard and on the doors, and it can also project patterns of light onto the top of the dashboard via projectors hidden behind the OLED screen. On a more practical level, boot space measures 200 litres, expanding to 800 litres when the rear seats are folded down.
"With its electric drive and purist design, the new MINI Cooper is a perfect fit for an urban lifestyle. In the fifth generation of the MINI Cooper, we combine the traditional MINI DNA with innovative, future-oriented technology while enabling locally emission-free driving fun that is typical of MINI," says Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI.
MINI Cooper performance and range
The MINI Cooper Electric E gets a 184hp electric motor with 290Nm of torque and will be capable of zipping up to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds. Energy comes from a 40.7kWh battery that provides a WLTP driving range of 305 kilometres.
The MINI Cooper Electric SE gets a more powerful 218hp motor (along with 330Nm of torque) for those looking for something sportier. That shaves six tenths of a second from the sprint to 100km/h and it gets a higher top speed of 170km/h. As well as more power, it has a longer range, too thanks to a larger capacity battery. Rated at 54.2kWh, it bumps the range between charges up to 402 kilometres.
When it comes to charging, the MINI Cooper Electric E gets 11kW AC and 75kW DC capability. In the case of the MINI Cooper Electric SE, that DC charging rate increases to 95kW, meaning that a charge from 10 to 80 per cent can be achieved in under 30 minutes for both cars.
Irish pricing for the MINI Cooper Electric starts at €36,220, rising to €41,760 for the Cooper Electric SE. It is set to arrive in Ireland in the first quarter of 2024.