New all-electric MINI Cooper: how it makes going electric easy
The new all-electric MINI Cooper offers plenty of compelling reasons to go electric
The new all-electric MINI Cooper offers as wealth of compelling reasons to make the electric switch
There are plenty of compelling reasons to switch to an electric car. Ultra-low running costs, exhilarating instant acceleration, bundles of the latest gadgetry, and the feel-good factor of knowing you're not kicking out harmful gases are just a few of the major plus points.
But for some drivers yet to convert, there's still a bit of convincing to do. You see, over the last decade or so, a handful of myths have surfaced about electric cars that have cast doubts over their capabilities and ultimately act as barriers for people thinking of going electric.
So, to shed some light on the subject, we've partnered with MINI to explore some of the most common electric car misconceptions and how the new all-electric MINI Cooper easily overcomes them.
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-*Can the new all-electric MINI Cooper handle my hectic week?*-
From meetings and dinner reservations to sports classes and dog walks, modern life can sometimes be akin to a juggling act, which means having a car that can keep up is essential. With a long range and rapid recharging, the new all-electric MINI Cooper can do just that.
To start, just because the new all-electric MINI Cooper boasts a compact design that matches its iconic 1960s roots and DNA doesn't mean that it lacks ambition when it comes to going the distance. After all, the original 1960s Mini Coopers used to drive all the way across Europe to compete in Rallye Monte Carlo.
The entry-level MINI Cooper E boasts up to 189 miles of range from its 40.7kWh lithium-ion battery (WLTP), while the longer-range MINI Cooper SE delivers up to 249 miles of range from its larger 54.2kWh battery. That means for the average UK driver who covers between 20 and 40 miles a day, the MINI Cooper could go for well over a week before needing a charge.
And when it does come to topping up, the MINI Cooper makes it easy. The majority of your charging will be done at home, making the most of lower, more cost-effective overnight electric rates to cut your running costs.
If you need to charge on the go throughout your week, the MINI Cooper makes that simple, too. In most supermarket, gym and town centre car parks you'll find 11kW destination chargers that are perfect for grabbing a cost-effective top-up while going about your daily errands.
If you're after something a bit quicker, you'll want to find yourself a rapid or ultra-rapid public charger, but we'll come onto those in a moment.
-*Is the new all-electric MINI Cooper fun to drive?*-
Due to the weight of their batteries, electric cars are generally heavier than their internal combustion counterparts. But by no stretch of the imagination does this mean they're any less fun to drive – on the contrary.
There's a reason we mentioned Rallye Monte Carlo. The original 1960s Mini earned its spurs and sealed its iconic reputation on the twisty alpine roads of the world's rally stages. It's the reason why MINIs have always put a smile on your face when you get behind the wheel – and the new all-electric MINI Cooper is no exception.
First, power. The entry-level MINI Cooper E boasts 184hp and 290Nm of torque, letting you sprint from 0-62mph in as little as 7.3 seconds. Want more? Well, opt for the MINI Cooper SE and you get an even-more potent 218hp and 330Nm of torque, letting you do the 0-62mph dash in as little as 6.7 seconds.
When it comes to the twisty bits, the new all-electric MINI Cooper's low centre of gravity (thanks to low-slung batteries), wide track and long wheelbase – allied with suspension and damping that has been tuned specifically for an electric car – give it assured confident handling.
It's all enhanced by a small steering wheel and direct steering ratio that give you fingertip feel on A-roads and a nippy turning circle in-town, while the intuitive regenerative braking seamlessly blends energy-recuperating, range-enhancing deceleration from the electric motor with conventional braking when needed.
Switch on the Go-Kart Mode – just one of several cool customisable MINI Experience Modes – and it only adds to the sporty performance feel. In short, the MINI Cooper's electric transformation has taken those go-kart-like characteristics we love and catapulted them to new heights.
-*Is the new all-electric MINI Cooper's tech complicated to use?*-
Most electric cars come with a wealth of next-generation gadgetry that makes driving easier, safer and more enjoyable – but some drivers can, understandably, find all this tech a little bit daunting. That's where the new all-electric MINI Cooper bucks the trend and even sprinkles some digital magic into every drive.
At the heart of the new all-electric MINI Cooper's advanced tech is a true innovation: MINI's first-ever fully circular touchscreen.
Designed to evoke the iconic round dials of the original 1960s Mini, this large 9.5in interactive display uses state-of-the-art OLED technology to deliver bold colours and super-crisp, super-clear graphics – making it even easier to access and interact with all the features and settings you're looking for.
It's powered by MINI Operating System 9, which is simple and intuitive to use, and uses always-online 5G connectivity to ensure you're getting the latest navigation, traffic and charging information from the cloud.
The upper half of the touchscreen always displays key vehicle information such as speed, range and battery status, which can be tapped for quick full-screen visibility. The lower half permanently shows your climate controls alongside essential shortcut buttons to navigation, media and phone calls, car settings and other apps.
The centre of the all-electric MINI Cooper's circular touchscreen is where the real magic happens. You can quickly swipe through the widgets for MINI Navigation, hands-free calls, or your preferred music and podcasts using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone connectivity – as well as widgets for essential car information and weather. Then, you simply tap the app and it goes full-screen.
Then there's the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant – MINI's first fully-fledged, fully-featured voice control. Simply say "Hey MINI" or use the steering-wheel-mounted push-to-talk button and you can see your voice commands appearing on the touchscreen display, so you can be sure it understands what you're saying. You also get the option of having a friendly animated dog 'Spike' to guide you through your choices.
Using MINI's enhanced voice recognition, you can control navigation, music and podcasts, hands-free phone calls and other key vehicle functions. The system also learns your behaviours, regular routes and uses geo-based data to make things even easier – such as automatically opening the window when entering a car park. You can even ask it to tell you a joke…
The all-electric MINI Cooper's high-speed always-online 5G connectivity also lets you interact with your car remotely from your smartphone using the MINI app.
The MINI App lets you use your smartphone as a MINI Digital Key, letting you walk up to, open your all-electric MINI Cooper and sync your vehicle with your personalised settings hands-free. The MINI App also pairs with your MINI Charging Card, giving you one-account access and billing for a wealth of the UK's most popular charging networks. So, every interaction with your all-electric MINI Cooper is all in one place.
Finally, the new all-electric MINI Cooper boasts a wealth of smart MINI Driving Assistant tech lend an extra set of eyes and an extra helping hand on the road. They include Dynamic Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning, Speed Limit Info and Speed Limit Assist, as well as Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning, all making journeys easier and ultimately safer for you and your passengers.
-*Can the new all-electric MINI Cooper cope with big road trips?*-
Now, we come to the big one: range anxiety. This is probably the most widespread concern about electric cars and ultimately hinges on range and public charging concerns. We've already established that the new all-electric MINI Cooper has enough range to cover more than a week of driving, so let's talk about the latter.
The preconceived notion is that the UK's public charging network isn't up to the task – there aren't enough chargers and they're not fast enough. But that couldn't be further from the truth. As of August 2024, the UK has more than 68,000 public chargers in operation, with more than 1400 added in the last month alone.
Not only that, but more than 13,000 of them are rapid or ultra-rapid. These high-speed chargers can give you a super-quick range boost in minutes. In the new all-electric MINI Cooper, you can use one of these units to recharge from 10%-80% in as little as 30 minutes – perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat at the services.
And to help minimise the number of stops you'll need to make and plan your big journeys more efficiently, the MINI Cooper's always-online 5G connectivity means you can use your smartphone to pre-plan your route and charging stops in advance before syncing your route with the in-car navigation system.
Speaking of the onboard nav system, it's electric-focused, meaning it can help you find the most efficient charging-optimised route to match your destination and your expected range.
Finally, big road trips require plenty of luggage space, and the MINI Cooper delivers here, too. With the rear seats in place, you get up to 210 litres as standard or as much as 800 litres if you fold the 60:40 split-fold rear seats down. So, it's perfect for everyday urban tasks or packing in a quick weekend away.
So, from a long electric range to pulse-raising driving character and rapid recharging, the new all-electric MINI Cooper can help you go electric.
*Book your new all-electric MINI Cooper 24hr test drive**
* Test drives subject to availability