Volume 16 Issue 1 » 63
2020 MINI Cooper SE
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MINI is about to prove that compact electric vehicles and fun
driving characteristics do not have to be mutually exclusive, with the
launch of the Cooper SE.
Not to be confused with the original MINI E that was part of a
BMW pilot program ten years back, this all-new model is based on
the current platform. Resembling its gasoline-powered siblings fairly
closely, there are a few differentiators such as yellow accenting all
over the exterior, special badging, a solid grille, 16-inch “Revolite”
alloy wheels and the absence of a tailpipe.
Sitting in the driver’s seat reveals that the instrument cluster is
unique. Replacing a traditional instrument cluster is a 5.5-inch
completely digital screen showing speed, energy level, range,
navigation directions and a variety of other important vehicle
information. When plugged in, charging status appears on the
display. Elsewhere, the shifter is more premium-looking and the
parking brake handle has been replaced with an electric unit.
Propelling the Cooper SE is a 135-kilowatt motor delivering 184
horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels — good
for a 0 to 60 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, and 7.3 seconds up to 100
km/h. A high-capacity lithium-ion battery is mounted deep beneath
the floor to keep the centre of gravity low, preserving the go-kart-
like handling feel and storage space that MINI enthusiasts are
accustomed to.
To charge the car, simply find the port conveniently located behind
a door at the passenger-side rear fender where the conventional
fuel filler neck would be. A complete cycle at Level 2 takes
approximately 3.5 hours, yielding a maximum range of up to 270
kilometres. Double that time for a household 120-volt power source,
while a DC fast charger only takes around 35 minutes to get the
battery up to 80 percent full.
The 2020 MINI Cooper SE is built in the brand’s Oxford plant in
England, and is expected to hit dealerships in the coming spring.