The MINI Cooper SE is the first electric 3-door hatchback from the iconic British brand for the Indian market. The MINI Cooper SE features a signature fun-to-drive nature and promises sporty performance with zero emissions.

The all-electric hatchback exudes individuality with its stylish, city-friendly dimensions and premium interiors pumping excitement into day-to-day commuting. The MINI Cooper SE is the only all-electric hatchback from any of the luxury brands in India and doesn’t have any direct rivals. However, the closest competitor in terms of pricing is the Kia EV6.

The MINI Cooper SE was first revealed as a concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production version was globally revealed in 2019, followed by the launch six months later.

• The car bagged the Urban Green Car of the Year Award in 2020.

• The electric hatchback was launched in the Indian market in February 2022 priced at INR 47.20 lakhs. Though this was the first launch in India, it was a facelifted version of the variant already introduced in the global markets.

• The car is being brought to India as a CBU unit.

The MINI Cooper SE features an expressive and lively design. A world-class vehicle, the Cooper SE electric is no different from the ICE counterpart.

• The charm of the MINI cars has always been their simplicity, and the brand has retained the iconic design with few EV touches. And this can be seen in the form of the blocked-off region in the grille, vertical air-inlet on the bumpers, and the green number plates.

• There are S badges on the front, at the fenders and on the boot providing it with some electrical essence. The yellow accents on the wheels and the ORVMs are reserved for the EV as well.

• The car comes with the same signature rounded headlamps and funky-looking 17-inch alloy wheels.

• At the back, the car carries the same Union Jack taillights, roof spoiler and clean bumper design minus the exhaust muffler.

These significant tweaks have created its distinctive identity without deviating from the roots.

The jazzy design and styling continue in the cabin. The quirky design and the overall layout remain the same, but lots of EV-related stuff here as well.

• The car gets the same circular-shaped 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment, powered by Apple CarPlay and a music system by Harman Kardon. The unit also provides feeds for navigation and other parameters related to EV.

• The Cooper SE also gets a 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster with straightforward reading for charge level, speed, mileage and temperature.

• Being an expensive car, you get all the comfort aspects. These include auto climate control, auto headlights, rain sensors, panoramic sunroof, push-button start, ambient light package, Nappa leather steering wheel and cruise control.

• The seats of the MINI Cooper SE are worth mentioning. The front seats have been beautifully fashioned with nice bolstering and the overall seat placement offers good visibility. There is a provision for height adjustability for the driver and the passenger. The seats are draped in premium fabric with excellent under-thigh support.

• At the rear, it is best to leave the seats unused as they lack proper adult support. However, folding them in 60:40 or 50:50 mode can increase the luggage area from 211L to a massive 731L.

In terms of safety, there are a bunch of active and passive systems to shield the driver and the passengers from mishaps.

• The MINI Cooper SE comes with four airbags, including front and side units for the driver and the passenger. Then there is an Anti-lock braking system and Brake Assist to complement the braking mechanism.

• The run-flat tyres will make sure you get to the desired destination in case the air pressure is lost. The same can be indicated via the run-flat indicator while the tyre pressure monitoring system keeps a constant watch.

• The car also gets dynamic stability control, traction control, cornering brake control, crash sensors and also acoustic protection for pedestrians. The rear-view camera, park distance control and parking assistance will ensure efficient parking in tight spaces.

The MINI Cooper gets a single 32.6kWh battery pack powering the front wheels. The motor produces 184PS and 270Nm torque, and the sound is like that of a gaming console and yet playful. Push the pedal, and the car kicks off silently and the experience is quite premium.

The throttle response is friendly and relaxed, and that fulfils the intended purpose of driving in cities. The car offers four driving modes, including Green Plus, Green, Mid and Sport. The Green Plus is like a panic button that you need when you see the battery is out of juice.

The mode not only shut the performance but also the air conditioner. This mode can offer 18km of extra range. The Green mode is the most efficient, the Mid offers a bit of poke and the Sport is the one that let you enjoy the MINI at its full.

As far as acceleration is concerned, they can get from 0-100kmph in 7.3 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 150kmph. The braking in the car is splendid while quick overtakes, tackling narrow lanes and making quick turns are like a breeze.

The robust feel of the steering and well-balanced suspension return splendid performance in cities, tackling broken roads and potholes without any worry.

Talking about the range, those who want long drives could be disappointed as the car can return not more than 180km of range in the real world, as against claimed 270km. In the Mid driving mode, you get even less at about 160km, while in the Sport mode, you can expect just around 100km.

However, the MINI Cooper is a car that does not aim to be a highway touring vehicle, but rather an intercity runabout with fun and practicality. If that’s your goal, then you get the pure joy of driving.

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