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Mini Cooper SE - DR

At first glance, nothing distinguishes a Mini Cooper SE (with an E for electric, of course) from a classic Cooper S. It's all in the details: a specific closed grille, aerodynamic rims, a refueling hatch rather than a petrol hatch, and a few touches of yellow on the bodywork and in the passenger compartment. That's all. Mini therefore ranks on the side of manufacturers who decline a normal model, like Peugeot with the 208 for example, rather than among those who develop specific models claiming loud and clear their electrical specificity, like the Renault Zoé. Suddenly, the interior of the Mini is also very familiar, with this large central screen in a round space, this small screen above the steering wheel and controls all that is classic. A Mini, what.

Mini Cooper SE - DR

More similarities

The batteries of this version having been housed in the structure of the car, the Mini Cooper SE has lost nothing in terms of habitability or trunk, and we want to say ... fortunately! What changes is the price. Well, a Mini has never been given, and so it always is. The bottom line is that with roughly similar equipment, the Cooper SE costs some € 4,000 more than a Cooper S petrol, but that this additional cost will be more than offset by the government premium, raised to 7,000 € for individuals. The Mini Cooper SE is therefore at € 30,600 bonus deducted.

Mini Cooper SE - DR

Urban, and more if affinity

If the Mini Electric remains as "practical" and "affordable" as another Mini, it is because the manufacturer has made a very clear choice in terms of batteries: not too much is needed. The model indeed embeds a pack with a useful capacity of 28.9 kWh, allowing a range of 200 to 235 km according to WLTP standards. It is true that it seems a little fair, especially if we compare to the 350 km of the main rivals of the moment that are the Renault Zoé and the Peugeot e208. At the same time, we are talking about a city car, which is mainly intended for driving in the city. This autonomy is above all much higher than the average daily mileage of the French.

Mini Cooper SE - DR

In addition, more batteries would mean more weight, and this is another reason for the choice of Mini. The Cooper SE weighs 1,365 kilos at weighing, barely 95 more than a Cooper S petrol with the same options. With its 184 hp and 270 Nm available immediately, it therefore loses practically nothing in driving pleasure, or rather let's say fun. Come on, we dare: the electric version is even a little more exhilarating. Because the position of the batteries lower the center of gravity and modify the distribution of the front-rear masses. Sorry to be a bit sharp, but clearly, it means that the behavior of the Cooper SE in sporty driving has nothing to envy, on the contrary, to that of its sister petrol 192 hp. To be very honest, yes, we missed two things: the "kindly nasty" sound of the typically Mini exhaust, and the pleasure of playing with a manual gearbox. But the rest of the sensations are there: the aggressiveness of the front axle, the sporty stiffness of the suspensions, the agility of the Mini ... And the most beautiful is that despite our periods of recreation on the road, we noted an autonomy of 210 km.

Mini Cooper SE - DR

In short, the Cooper SE is a self-respecting Mini, which has made the right choices to get there. It has only one concern: knowing that the Mini has largely built its success on its fashion side, it will soon have to face younger, fresher, more cute and more fashionable than it: a certain Honda and . We are curious to see how one will stand up to the other, and how the all-new Fiat 500, also electric now, will referee the match.

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The Mini Cooper SE in a few figures

  • Motor: electric; 184hp; 270Nm.
  • Transmission: to the front wheels.
  • Gearbox: 1-speed auto.
  • L / W / H (mm): 3.845 / 1.727 / 1.432
  • Curb weight (kg): 1.365
  • Boot capacity (l): 211 - 731
  • Batteries (kWh): 28.9
  • 0 to 100 km / h (sec.): 7.2
  • Maximum speed (km / h): 150
  • Range (km WLTP): 200-235
  • CO2 (g / km): 0
  • Price (€, excluding bonus): 37,600
  • Electric car
  • Mobility
  • Environment
  • Renault
  • Honda
  • Fiat
  • Peugeot
  • Automobile