2021 Mini Electric review: Look watts new

Singapore

EVERYONE knows what a Mini Cooper hatch is, but here's a recap of the act you've known for all these years: expect retro styling, go-kart handling and fizzy acceleration. Retain the above, replace the engine and fuel tank with a motor and batteries, and you have the electric Mini Cooper SE.

Mini gave its smallest models a facelift this year (which is a bit unusual because they already got one in 2018), but there's no mistaking the Cooper SE for anything but a direct descendent of the tiny, effervescent original that became such an icon of the 1960s.

The re-revamped cars have a slimmer front grille, but the easier way to spot one is by its lack of round fog lamps. Instead, the 2021 Minis have slim "air curtains", small slots in the front bumper that let air bleed through to the front wheels and past them. Apparently, that reduces drag and cuts fuel consumption (or electricity consumption, in this case).

Inside, there's new cabin trim and some slick new buttons on the steering wheel. The infotainment's touchscreen now measures a mighty 8.8 inches diagonally, and its graphics have been cleaned up and modernised. Funny how the user interface looked just fine last year, but looks outdated next to this.

Anyway, what matters is the driving experience is the same, which means the Mini Electric, as insiders like to call it, is still a hoot. With 184 horsepower, the motor is pretty lusty, and the way it biffs the Mini into action is guaranteed to raise a smile.

The Mini Cooper S has a turbo engine with the same amount of power, and is actually slightly quicker to 100km/h, but it doesn't have the same addictive, kick-in-the-pants power delivery that only electric vehicles seem able to serve up.

In fact, in some ways the Cooper SE is the wildest of the bunch. It has a bouncy ride (the springs are relatively tall and beefy to lift the heavy under-floor batteries clear of obstacles) and the motor sends so much torque to the front tyres that you end up hanging on tight as the steering wheel twists and squirms in your hands. It's more amusing than scary, and it only adds to the liveliness of the thing.

But while the Mini Electric is fun, it's very much a city runabout. The real-world range is roughly 180km, so not only are long road trips out of the question, you'll need a place to charge it every couple of days. Only you can say if that fits your lifestyle.

Mind you, the car's pricing does sweeten the prospect somewhat. This year's new early adoption and clean air incentives have knocked the Mini Electric's price down to the point where it's S$8,000 cheaper than the Mini Cooper, despite being 35 per cent more powerful.

Electricity brings other advantages. The air-con runs off the battery and not an engine, so before climbing aboard you can use Mini's smartphone app to cool the cabin. If your wife is anything like mine, she will think you are a wizard when this happens.

People often talk about electric cars needing next to no maintenance, and sure enough the Mini Electric I drove is only due for a workshop visit in May 2023, all of 16 months from now. All Minis will be as fuss-free to own someday, given that the brand has vowed to become an all-electric carmaker by 2030. It may have retro styling, but the Mini Cooper SE is a look into the future.

MINI COOPER SE

Electric Motor 184hp, 270Nm Battery Lithium ion, 28.9kWh (net) Charge Time / Type 2.5 hours /Wallbox (11kW) Electric Range 232km 0-100km/h 7.3 seconds Top Speed 150km/h Efficiency 15.2kWh/100km Agent Eurokars Habitat Price $168,888 with COE Available Now