MINI’s electric force: Why you need to look at it from both sides now

Published on 4 April, 2020

Compelling performance, fun to drive but overshadowed by poor range

Overview

I decided quite early on two main avenues of approach for my test drive of the new electric MINI. In the interest of fairness, I planned to take one route to assess it as a realistic, practical proposition to get you around on your days for shopping and whatever other limited travel you need to undertake.

The second approach was to apply more lenient, less financially stringent expectations and view it as representing the distinct allure of a trendy, lifestyle symbol. I have no doubt such sentiment was a big factor in planning for MINI going electric as, and when, it did.

Sadly much of that sentiment has dimmed with the onset of the coronavirus crisis. Only for now, we hope.

When we have beaten back this attack, as we will, aesthetics and other positive considerations in a car of this ilk will re-emerge after a time.

I undertook my double-take with confidence because to do anything else would encourage dismissal of this model as an irrelevance given its miserly and, as I found, optimistic range (up to 270km) on one charge.

I should further confess that there was also a somewhat selfish reason for viewing it from alternate perspectives.

It was to show I am not, despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary, a dyed-in-the-wool petrol head/utilitarian throwback to a time when there was little more to driving than merely getting around.

Despite our current tribulations, it is fair to say there is strong evidence to suggest that few drivers today would settle for the bare bones of transport any more.

So I was happy to look at the car from both sides of the fence. This MINI is based on the same bodyshell as the three-door hatchback but, of course, there are give-away insignias. The Cooper SE name alone tells a big part of the story: this is a car to be driven (regardless of the toll that takes on limited range).

The cabin with its huge central, circular instrument display is exceptional. I had forgotten how dramatic a place it can be, even allowing for the overflow of so many little switches. I admit I've been a long-time critic of the Big Ben central display but I have been converted. Don't ask me to explain except to say it seemed to suit the sense of electric modernity in this digital-dashboard car more than before. There is an 'electric' feel to the updated interior, not to mention the chassis which can respond in a variety of ways depending on your preferences.

I felt there was a huge attraction in the concept of a MINI powered solely by electricity. It flitted to 100kmh more quickly than its official time of 7.3 seconds suggests, and showed admirable torque during medium-speed overtaking. It always felt bright and brisk. Just as a MINI should. They claim, and I agree, its performance isn't far off the conventionally powered hot-hatch MINI Cooper S. It had that sense of edge to it.

On those plus points, it makes a significant case and one that may be sufficient to attract some potential buyers - enthusiastic, early MINI Electric adaptors.

Against that there is the overwhelming drawback of the car's limited range. I was heading for just 150km after driving it as sympathetically as possible without overlooking its core driving appeal.

Now I may have squeezed 200km out of it (I doubt it); maybe 220km (only with a cyclonic tail wind) if I cajoled it with restraint so ridiculous it would render the entire test-drive enterprise redundant.

I concluded, fairly I hope, that the real-world value of the car is, unfortunately, in direct proportion to its driving talents. The more you avail of, and enjoy them, the less relevant it becomes as a practical proposition.

Add to that the fact that, despite its allure, the cabin is small, it's a three-door with poor enough room at the back (boot space of 211 litres not affected by the battery pack under front/rear seats) and the arguments in favour weaken further.

Let me put it more positively: if this could cover 375km/400km on one charge I'd have a strong recommendation for purchase. I liked this car a lot more than I'd anticipated.

But even allowing for the phenomenal appeal of owning a first electric MINI, I find it hard to suggest it as an option to anyone other than of a well-off lifestyle minority attracted as much by the symbolism as the shrewdness of the purchase.

Facts & figures

The MINI  Electric:

From €27,765, 184hp, 12-module lithium-ion battery pack (32.6kWh); claimed range of 235km to 270km.

Three trim levels. Standard spec includes new digital dashboard, connected navigation, LED head/tail lights.

Can charge via household socket, wall-box, public charging station. Fast direct current charging up to 50kW.

Home, public charging cables come as standard.