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MINI - Electric Price: from £24,400 (inc.gov.grant)
Last Updated On: 22/05/2020
MINI has unveiled its first fully electric model – the MINI Electric and production at the Oxford plant will begin in late 2019, with first deliveries in March 2020. Every inch a MINI, with performance close to the hot-hatch MINI Cooper S, as the 'S' badge on the boot lid proclaims.
The MINI Electric is based on the same body shell as the 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 grille. The front grille features the hallmark hexagonal shape but is closed, as the car requires less cooling. This also contributes to excellent aerodynamics, as do the enclosed undercarriage, the rear apron and the special 17-inch MINI Electric Corona Spoke 2-tone wheels, which are optional.
The charging plug is located above the right-hand rear wheel, where the petrol filler would normally be (image 7). 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 has 12 modules of lithium-ion cells 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. Battery range is up to 145 miles (233km) - WLTP.
The motor is the latest, powerful version of the synchronous electric motor developed by the BMW Group and provides a maximum output of 184 HP and maximum torque of 270 Nm. As a result, the car accelerates to 62mph (100km/h) in just 7.3 seconds with top speed limited to 93mph (150km/h).
The car offers as standard four MINI Driving Modes - selected via a switch located on the right-hand side of the toggle bar. 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.
The new MINI Electric has a new digital dashboard (image 5) with a 5.5-inch colour screen behind the steering wheel. Road speed is shown at the centre in figures with a peripheral scale band, as well as information on the charge level of the battery, the selected MINI Driving Mode, the status of the driver assistance systems and check control messages.
There will the three trim levels, simply known as Level 1, 2 and 3, with prices starting at £24,400 OTR, after the government plug-in car grant has been applied.
