MINI Cooper SE

An EV for the masses and a highly-sought-after model, the new all-electric MINI Cooper SE, upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

Alias MINI Electric (JO1), the three-door hatchback is in its fifth-generation, and is co-developed between BMW and GWM (LEMON chassis - Ora Good Cat).

Fully-imported (CBU - China), the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is available in a single variant (Cooper SE Electric - MYR 193,888).

Price (OTR, w/o insurance) covers a standard warranty (two years, unlimited-mileage), a battery warranty (eight years/160,000 KM), and roadside assistance (five years). 

For an optional (MYR 6,300) extended warranty (four years, unlimited-mileage) and free service package, the tag goes up to MYR 200,188.

Eight exterior colours (Blazing Blue, Nanuq White, Chilli Red II, Legend Grey, Sunny Side Yellow, Midnight Black II, British Racing Green, Melting Silver). One interior colour (Nightshade Blue).

The new MINI Electric gets a premium, minimalistic and slim dashboard design, linked to a low-rise-hollowed-out centre console.

Outfitted with the Favoured Trim, it sees soft-/hard-touched panels draped in a two-tone (Grey-Beige) two-dimensional knitted fabric (Houndstooth).

Centre-staged is the floating circular screen unit, flanked on each side by a set of slim and roundly-elongated air-conditioning vents.

Unique, depending on the drive modes (MINI Experience Modes) selected, the setup features a light projector (Beamer) displaying patterns onto the dash.

Overall, the layout is ergonomically-arranged, with very easy reachability (drive-oriented, user-friendly).

A dual-functioning (instrument cluster/infotainment) floating-circular central unit (MINI Interaction Unit), installed is a 9.4-Inch LED touchscreen, incorporating a Head-Up Display (HUD).

Running on the MINI Operating System 9 (MINI OS 9 - Android), it supports MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant (voice control system - ‘Hey MINI’ - MINI/Spike - MINI avatar), MINI Navigation AR, MINI Experience Modes (Core, Go-Kart, Green, Vivid, Timeless, Balance, Personal, Trail), and MINI App (remote control - smartphone).

Premium, the interior of the four-seater sees the Favoured Trim, featuring leatherette (Vescin Beading) upholstery in a single-tone colour scheme (Nightshade Blue).

The front is installed with electronic-powered (multi-way, driver-massage/-memory, lumbar) JCW (John Cooper Works) sport seats.

The rear comes with a manual-operated (recline, 60:40 split-fold) bench seat. Included are armrests (front - centre console, rear - centre seat fold-out).

Accentuations, ambient light system (multi-colour - MINI Experience Modes), an anthracite headliner (Grey) and two-dimensional fabric (Houndstooth) door panels.

The e-hatchback offers ample interior mobility, providing front/rear occupants with ample cabin space. Sufficient head-, shoulder- and leg-room. 

Mounted is a three-spoke sport steering wheel (Favoured Trim), wrapped in leather (Vescin - Black) and fabric (Houndstooth - lower spoke).

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, media, vehicle settings), paddle shifters, and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system.

Numerous storage areas. E.g., door/seat back pockets, centre console caverned/partitioned spaces, and a glove box.

Provided are three cup holders (two - front, one - rear), and two bottle holders (one - side doors).

Provided are two USB ports (two-front), one 12 V socket (front), and a wireless charger (front).

Accessing its electric-tailgate (contactless - key fob, sensor), opens up to 210-Litres (rear seats up) and 800-Litres (rear seats down) of load capacities.

Weighing in at 1,605 KG, the new MINI Electric measures at 3,858 MM long, 1,928 MM wide, 1,460 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,526 MM.

Electrifyingly-sleek, its seamlessly-rounded exterior exudes clean lines and balanced proportions, embodying MINI’s ‘Charismatic Simplicity’ design language.

A short-overhang, the front-end sees a smoothly-defined bonnet/bumper/fenders, a new octagonal grille (Vibrant Silver surround), and a bumper clad (Black). 

Outfitted is the Favoured Trim, featuring additional body contrasting accents (Piano Black - window surrounds, side mirrors, A-pillars).

Accentuations, ‘MINI’ (top-centre fascia - Chrome) and ‘S’ (top-right grille - Yellow) emblems, contrast side mirrors/roof (body-colour-dependent), and side sills (Black).

Smoothly-athletic, it continues MINI’s ‘Charismatic Simplicity’ design language with horizontally-rounded and clean-cut shapes.

A short-overhang, the rear-end sees a roof-edge spoiler, a sleekly-defined tailgate/bumper/fenders, and a bumper clad (Black). 

Outfitted is the Favoured Trim, featuring additional body contrasting accents (Piano Black - window surrounds, centre-tailgate bar, C-pillars).

Accentuations, ‘MINI’ emblem (top-centre tailgate - Chrome), ‘Cooper S’ script (centre-tailgate - Yellow), contrast spoiler/roof (body-colour-dependent), and side sills (Black).

Circularly-framed with darkened internals, the headlamps are iconic posing as key features to the classic MINI face.

Installed are adaptive (low-/high-beam) Bi-LED units, featuring perimeter LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), a customisable lighting function (three light signatures), automatic On/Off, LED turn signals and High-Beam Assist (HBA).

Housed triangularly-inverted, the tail lamps are new for the MINI, and come with a darkened perimeter and the Union Jack light graphic. 

Installed are Matrix LED units, featuring LED turn signals and a customisable lighting function (three light signatures).

The two-tone (Piano Black-body-colour-dependent) side mirrors are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust). 

Features (Mirror Package) are turn-signals, blind-spot indicator (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM), automatic dimming (driver), automatic-parking function, memory/heating, and MINI logo ground projection.

Installed are ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes. 

Aiding the setup are Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and brake energy recuperation systems.

Exclusive, it surges on a set of 18-Inch multi-spoke (Night Flash) two-tone (Silver-Black) aluminium-alloy rims, rubbered-up in 225/40 R18 Maxxis Premitra 5 tyres.

The new MINI Electric features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant/Driving Assistant Plus, grouped are Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Change Warning (LCW), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Manual Speed Limit Assist (MSLA), Avoidance Assistance System (AAS), Collision Warning System (CWS), Junction Warning System (JWS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop/Go, Rear Cross Traffic Warning (RCTW) with Brake Intervention, and Road Sign Recognition System (RSRS).

Under Parking Assistant Plus, grouped are Active Park Distance Control (APDC), Reversing Assistant System (RAS), Park Assist System (PAS), Panorama Parking View (PPV - 360-degree camera), and Remote 3D-view (MINI App - smartphone).

Other systems include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Dry Braking (wet condition), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), High-Beam Assist (HBA) and Hill-Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front side, front-rear curtain), seat belts (anchors, pretensioners, reminders), ISOFIX (three - passenger seats), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), automatic-anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (Mirror Package - interior, exterior), door ajar warning, attentive assist (interior), acoustic protection (pedestrians), automatic-speed-sensing door locks, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), BMW Drive Recorder, and security alarm (anti-theft, immobiliser).

Selectable are three drive modes (Green, Core, Go-Kart). Incorporated is one-pedal-driving (regenerative braking).

A dual-functioning (instrument cluster/infotainment) floating-circular central unit (MINI Interaction Unit), installed is a 9.4-Inch LED touchscreen, incorporating a Head-Up Display (HUD).

Running on the MINI Operating System 9 (MINI OS 9 - Android), it supports MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant (voice control system - ‘Hey MINI’ - MINI/Spike - MINI avatar), MINI Navigation AR, MINI Experience Modes (Core, Go-Kart, Green, Vivid, Timeless, Balance, Personal, Trail), MINI App (remote control - smartphone), Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Entertainment is channelled via a setup of the Harman Kardon Hi-Fi loudspeaker system (600 W, 10 speakers).

The new MINI Electric nestles a single electric motor (front-mounted), generating 160 KW (218 HP) and 330 NM.

Fused to the e-motors is a single-speed automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to the front wheels, via a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H takes 6.7 seconds and top speed is 170 KM/H.

Juicing-up the e-motors is an underfloor-mounted Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery (54.2 KWH), enabling an electric driving range of 402 KM (WLTP).

AC charging (Type 2 - 11 KW) takes 5.15 hours for a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC). DC charging (CCS2 - 95 KW) takes 30 minutes for a 10% to 80% SoC.

Also included is a charging cable (Mode 3) and a flexible fast charger cable with an adapter (2.3 KW).

The new MINI Electric features these conveniences.

E.g., Comfort Access system (MINI Digital Key Plus, keyless-easy-entry unlock, engine Start/Stop button), electric-tailgate (contactless - key fob, sensor), dual-zone automatic climate control, interior lighting (map, reading, footwell, boot, ambient), MINI Interaction Unit (MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant, MINI Experience Modes, MINI AR Navigation, MINI App), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), blind-spot indicator (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM), Mirror Package (automatic-anti-dazzle interior rear-view mirror, automatic-dimming exterior rear-view mirror, automatic-parking function, memory/heating), steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments, paddle shifters, EPAS), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, electronic-powered (driver/passenger - multi-way, lumbar, driver-memory/-massage) sport seats, automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-/low-beam), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), armrests (front, rear), and wireless charging tray.

Installed is a two-zone automatic climate control.

Propping-up the chassis are MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspensions, incorporating twin-tube gas-filled pressure dampers.

Overall solid, refined and agile (low-centre gravity, extended tyre width), the ride quality is MINI (Go-Kart experience) and the all-electric drive offers a wonderfully smooth power delivery.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. 

The cabin is able to suppress unwanted wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds, even when cruising through bumpy asphalts.

The new MINI Cooper SE Electric is in a class of its own. Enveloped by an elegant and a sporty appeal that commands a presence like no other.

Quality of the equipment and materials installed inside impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Underpinning an all-electric powertrain, it offers an electrifying driving experience (MINI Go-Kart electrified experience) only a MINI is able to.

Overall, the new MINI Electric is just a strong character, a great e-hatchback that offers a sleekly-striking outlook, sporty performance and practicality all in one.