Electric Mini Cabrio: Limited Edition and Not Cheap!
This page is translated from the original post "Mini Cabrio électrique : limitée et surtout pas donnée !" in French.
- 15/02/2023 9:45
Mini finally launches an electric version of its cabriolet, but in a limited series of fewer than 1,000 units and at a premium price.
Mini was very vocal but ultimately made no changes to its range. The British brand, owned by BMW, had unveiled numerous electric concept cars since the launch of the Mini Cooper SE in 2020, which became Mini Electric. Since then, only the three-door city car remains with this powertrain, while the sporty JCW models, the Cabriolet, and the Aceman SUV have showcased electric versions. Now, the lineup welcomes a new model, the Mini Electric Cabrio, or Cooper SE.
A classic cabriolet with Mini-range autonomy
Like the standard three-door, the wired convertible does not differ from the thermal range. It will take a keen eye to spot the modifications, as it combines the front bumper of the Cooper and the (faux) hood scoop of the Cooper S. The car adds “E” logos on the bumpers and specific alloy wheels made from recycled aluminum.
The 135 kW motor is also identical to the city car, with 184 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque at the front wheels (front-wheel drive). The performance figures are below the equivalent petrol Cooper S, with a 0-100 km/h time of 8.2 seconds (compared to 7.1), but Mini promises to maintain the go-kart-like driving experience, thanks to a “harmonious load distribution across the axles”. The battery size is not specified, but the 32 kWh pack from the city car is expected to be installed in the floor.
However, the range is lower, at only 201 km according to the theoretical WLTP protocol (versus 230 km). The Mini Cabrio Cooper SE is thus the second least-enduring electric car on the market, behind the Renault Twingo E-Tech (180 km) and ahead of the Dacia Spring 65 (220 km).
Like its petrol and diesel cousin, the Mini Electric Cabrio will be produced at the Born factory (not the Cupra factory) in the Netherlands. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in April 2023.
MINI Electric Cabrio in small numbers, big price
If you were planning to make this new Mini electric your go-to daily vehicle, hurry; the brand only plans to build 999 units for Europe. The France division specifies that only 155 are reserved for France! And there are only two available colors: Piano Black and White Silver Gray.
Furthermore, while the basic Mini Electric is already priced at €36,400, the Mini Cabrio Cooper SE is significantly more expensive. Each unit is available at €60,490! That’s above the price of a Tesla Model 3 Performance! At least, heated sports seats come standard, so that’s something.
Also read: Test of the Mini Cooper SE 2022, an electric adaptation to improve
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