With electric cars, the main questions still revolve around the themes of price and range. Yet there are now also EVs that place their priorities elsewhere, such as the Mini Electric. That is why he should be able to approach private buyers.
It goes too far to say that all EVs are chosen purely with the calculator, the fact is that the numbers are looked at more than with other cars. There is every reason to do so, because electric cars are still in the development phase and that means that the differences are large. While only a few years ago you had to be happy with a range of 150 km and have to pay hard for it, there are now quite a few cars for sale that offer a theoretical range of more than 400 km for a reasonable price. The fact that everything under half a ton is considered reasonable in the EV world is still a fact for the time being, but judging from the sales figures, the better EVs of the moment are usually easily accessible for the business buyer.
Appearance
The Mini Electric has good credentials to appeal to private buyers. That already starts with the appearance. The car was presented with striking yellow accents and asymmetrical wheels, but our test sample proves that it can be done differently. In a classic green and white color scheme and equipped with more common light metal, it is in the first place just a Mini, even though the bold E logos are just as hard to miss as the gray painted panel that takes the place of the grille. The scoop above it is also closed. The thing is superfluous, but because Mini considers the Electric to be a Cooper S, it was still considered necessary to add this ‘hole’. With 184 hp, Mini’s first EV is slightly less powerful than a regular Cooper S, but with a 0-100 time of over seven seconds, the car is certainly smooth. Moreover, with an entry-level price of € 34,900, it is slightly cheaper than a petrol S, and we have not seen that before with electric models.
The Mini has a distance of 234 km according to the WLTP test cycle. That is somewhat disappointing in today’s EV landscape. Fast charging is done with a maximum of 50 kW; the battery can be charged from completely empty to 80 percent in 36 minutes. The Mini is certainly not a aerodynamic miracle, but it turns out to be energy efficient, especially on the motorway. At speeds of up to 100 km / h – after all, that is now the standard – it turns out that the Mini is feasible to get close to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Extremely direct
The Mini feels bright. It is certainly not a Tesla, but the well-known push for which electric cars are known is really present here. Partly due to the small battery pack, the Mini has a low weight handicap, which in very fast cornering results in tires that start to groan a bit earlier than with a petrol Cooper S. Furthermore, the British fun-hatch hardly sacrifices any of its fun character. The extremely direct, fairly heavy steering, together with the sturdy, communicative suspension, provides a very nice driving experience, where it does not even have to go really fast to have fun. At the same time, the car is not really comfortable enough for a long highway ride.
The Electric is also a real Mini on the inside. The highly upright windshield provides a unique view and the seating position behind the thick steering wheel is sublime. The retro shapes known from other Mini’s are also just coming back here. The busy dashboard should be just your taste, the quality is of a very high level. Here and there, form has explicitly gone before function, but we still quickly find our way. The infotainment is comparable to what the mother brand BMW offers and therefore of a very high level. The central touchscreen looks slick, has a well thought-out layout and can also be operated via the well-known rotary knob between the seats, which in practice can quickly be done by touch. A second screen, including a speedometer and driving information, is displayed on the steering column. As far as design and layout is concerned, there is nothing to choose here, but thanks to an extensive on-board computer and a smart split-screen function of the central screen, the number freaks get their money’s worth here.
Little to choose
In Minis you can traditionally adjust the decoration of the car to your own liking, but the Electric version only participates to a limited extent. Apart from four ‘preconfigured’ versions, the paint color and the wheels, there is little to choose. The Yours tested here is the most expensive variant, which is therefore immediately equipped with leather, a panoramic roof, Harman Kardon audio and mood lighting. The € 42,900 that Mini asks for this version is immediately the maximum.