MINI Electric

The MINI Electric is based on the same body shell as the ICE 3-Door Hatch, with a number of specific differences. An embossed MINI Electric logo appears on car’s side scuttles, as well as on the tailgate and front radiator grill. The front grille features the hallmark hexagonal shape but is closed, as the car requires less cooling.

Boot volume can be compromised in electric cars but the MINI Electric retains the full MINI Hatch 211 litres, expanding to 731 litres when the rear backrests are folded down.

The battery pack is arranged in a T-shaped unit in the vehicle floor between the front seats and below the rear seats, providing a battery capacity of 32.6 kWh. The motor is provides a maximum output of 184 HP and maximum torque of 270 Nm. As a result, the car accelerates to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds with top speed limited to 93mph.

The power electronics are shielded by a reinforced bumper carrier and the motor support frame, while the high-voltage battery is protected by a solid base plate. Despite this, the MINI Electric is only 145kgs heavier than the current MINI Cooper S 3-Door with Automatic transmission.

In accordance with new EU law, the car is fitted with acoustic pedestrian protection for low speed driving, with a distinctive sound created especially for the car generated via a speaker system.

With a centre of gravity that is at least 30 millimetres lower than in the MINI Cooper S and the reduced weight over the front wheels thanks to the electric motor, its weight distribution helps the new MINI Electric achieve excellent driving dynamics.

The car offers as standard four MINI Driving Modes . SPORT mode has more direct steering and a more rapid power delivery. The MID setting has less aggressive steering while GREEN mode features more gentle accelerator actuation. In GREEN+ mode, some comfort functions such as air conditioning are limited or deactivated to save further power and increase range. Intense or low-level power regeneration can be selected, regardless of the MINI Driving Modes to recharge the battery when the driver lifts off the accelerator, preserving energy, and acts as a braking force.

The new MINI Electric has a digital dashboard which includes details of the available range, current drive power, outside temperature, time and mileage along with traffic sign detection reports and directions from the navigation system. The standard Navigation includes a 6.5-inch touchscreen which offers access to MINI Online and Apple CarPlay, as well as offering Real Time Traffic Updates (RTTI). Dual zone automatic air conditioning with separate ventilation and temperature control for the driver and front passenger come as standard.

The MINI Electric comes with both home and public charging cables as standard and at a 50kW DC fast-charging station an 80 per cent charge is reached from zero in 35 minutes.

There will the three trim levels, beginning with the Standard, Mid and Premium. The mid-level offers a cloth/leather-look upholstery, additional exterior body colour and wheel options, as well as adding rear Park Distance Control (PDC), Rear Camera, Seat Heating, Driving Assistance Pack and Logo Projection. The mid-level style MINI Electric is available at £26,400 OTR including the grant.