Electric Mini Cooper SE

The newest model from Mini is the Electric Mini Cooper SE. a company that can trace its origins back to the Morris Mini. This model's agility, affordability, and most importantly - its diminutive size - made it strong enough to establish a legacy of its own. Most users wanted to drive it only within the city because of its city-friendly dimensions, which were a huge success in congested streets.

Although the models in the range were better all-rounders, with the resurgence of this brand, the Mini grew larger and cost more, and it lost some of its original simplicity and fun. Two decades later, a car has been developed that, while completely different from the original, manages to recapture its magic.

INTERIOR AND FEATURES

The interior of the EV has undergone similar minor improvements to the exterior. The gear shifter and the engine start toggle have fluorescent green accents, and the dashboard has an interesting scattering of Tetris-like elements that look fun. Other than that, everything is the same as a regular car, including the digital instrument panel and large round central display. There are some highlights here, despite the cabin's and the materials' inferior quality compared to a car that costs half a crore rupees.

Large and cosy seats with top-notch fabric upholstery are provided. This makes staying here more comfortable than at the JCW twin's faster pace. The door pads and ambient lighting in the dashboard add to the playfulness, and the LED ring surrounding the infotainment system is a lovely example of form and function combined because it serves as the volume control, proximity for the rear sensor display, and more. There aren't many EV-specific components, to be honest. A power consumption display is located on the left side of the instrument cluster, and a battery indicator is located on the right. The battery percentage is shown on the bottom right, and the range is shown on the top right. Without making many changes, everything is exactly as you would expect it to be.

A twin sunroof, Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and a Harman Kardon sound system are some of the features that stand out. It's not that kind of a car, so you won't find a head-up display, powered seats, or other glitzy features like a 360-degree camera here. The fundamentals are what you get, and they are very effective.

For short trips in the city, the back seats can still fit adults under 6 feet tall. To get in and out comfortably, one would need gymnast-level flexibility, though. If you need to pick up a friend from the airport, the rear seats fold in half to create more room in the boot, and even when they are up, you can still fit a few small suitcases inside. emphasis on the word "a" friend Up to this point, we've discussed how the Mini Cooper SE has a straightforward yet entertaining appearance, a plain but functional interior, and a cosy interior.

EXTERIOR

Manufacturers often overdo futuristic designs to give EVs a specific appearance. However, a Mini's appeal lies in its simplicity, and the Cooper SE maintains that simplicity. In a clever move, Mini altered some of the highlights rather than touching the bodywork to make it look more energetic. The end result is a hatchback that resembles a regular Mini but has the unique flair of being electric.

The 17-inch non-symmetric aero wheels with fluorescent green accents and the green ORVMs are what catch your eye first. I'm done now. You only need to notice that to recognize it as an electric vehicle. Yes, the front bumper differs slightly but still has an oval face, and the rear, with its Union Jack tail lamps, is the same as on other Minis—with the obvious exception of the tailpipes. There is also the electric Mini symbol on the charger flap and on the boot if you have a keen eye for detail. It looks significantly different yet the same because of this subtle but loud and significant design change. The Mini Cooper SE has an unmistakably Mini appearance but a funky flair.

ENGINE SPECIFICATION & PERFORMANCE

The first electric MINI is identical to the iconic original but is powered for future roads. It combines the iconic go-kart sensation with distinctive design, top-notch quality, and emission-free driving. The floor-mounted high-voltage, 96-cell, 32.6 kWh (gross capacity) battery pack powers it. This lowers its center of gravity even further, improving handling and stability while also making corners more enjoyable than ever. It represents MINI at its most advanced and intense.

The Cooper SE has a lot of sound effects that sound like they belong in a video game that helps create a fun atmosphere inside the vehicle. The sound of a spaceship can be heard when you start the car and when you begin to drive (provided it is quiet outside because it is directed at pedestrians). It is not too childish to be considered silly, but it is playful. Like every other EV, the start and acceleration feel upscale and the motor makes no noise at all. Driving it in town is a wonderful and tranquil experience thanks to the throttle response, which also feels friendly and relaxed.

You can drive in one of four modes: Green+, Green, Mid, or Sport. When you are in danger of running out of power, you can activate Green+. In addition to decreasing performance, it also turns off the air conditioning. in contrast to Green. Approximately 18 km of extra range can be obtained. The economy mode that is most practical for use in cities is the green mode. It has a relaxed throttle response but plenty of power for overtaking and evading traffic lights. Mid is your best bet if you want a little more poke. Although the experience is very different, at least according to the display, you only lose one Km in this location when compared to green. For overtakes, it enables you to accelerate more quickly, and it's at this point that the Cooper SE's true character becomes apparent.

The Cooper SE, however, only truly feels like a Mini in Sport mode. The paddle is now prepared to launch you as all the torque is released, causing an abrupt and silent acceleration. You are seated toward the back of the room. Additionally, this occurs with roll-ons. Whether you're moving at 40, 60, or 80 kph, putting your foot down will force you forward. When we tested the acceleration, the SE reached 100 kph in just 7.13 seconds (less than one second slower than the JCW), and the sprint from 20 to 80 kph only required 4.06 seconds. This is really swift.

However, the original Mini was never intended to be a highway tourer. The SE achieves the goal of providing high practicality and fun within city limits. If you have a charger at home, you can easily charge the tiny battery overnight so you can commute for an entire day while having a blast. And the SE is centered around this. You may only get 100 km of range in Sports, but in the city, you get 100 km of pure joy. It has a variety of regen modes available, including one paddle operation that you can use to help with range but that also doesn't have much of an impact.

HANDLING

You can match the performance of the JCW with the Cooper SE by less than a second. However, it doesn't break your back or break your heart. Because it is a sportier version of the Mini, the JCW has stiff suspension and big wheels that can be tricky to control in our cities. None of those issues exist with Cooper SE. This hatchback is quite comfortable on city roads thanks to its comfortable and well-balanced suspension and those plush seats. It takes damaged areas in stride and doesn't grumble about potholes either. Additionally, there is enough rubber padding between the wheels for you to stop worrying.

SPACE

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS