Mini Electric Cabriolet: The Fresh Summer Concept

The British brand introduces for the first time a unique electric Mini Cabriolet, but with a probable future within the lineup.

United States, on the Atlantic coast, with palm trees in the background, this is not Miami where this car chose to be presented. It’s a bit further north, in Asheville, South Carolina, where the only electric Mini Cabriolet is shown. Why? Because the brand chose to include it in the event “Mini Takes the States”, a kind of road trip between Vermont (northeastern United States) and Greenville-Spartanburg. The latter city is not a coincidence, as it hosts the manufacturing plant of the X5 and X6 SUVs.

230 km in the open air

This is an opportunity to test the Mini community’s shift to electric, with this unique prototype. To avoid upsetting enthusiasts, the British firm made no changes to the original car. Aside from the absence of an exhaust pipe and badges, nothing distinguishes the thermal version from the electric, as on the Mini Cooper SE. Well, actually yes, because for communication, the Cabriolet bore a large “This Toy is electric” on the sides.

The electric Mini Cabriolet also retains all the technical attributes of the Mini Cooper SE. It features the 135 kW (184 hp) motor with 270 Nm of torque. Heavier, its performance is slightly lower, at 7.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (+0.4 seconds). But the brand assures that the same 32.6 kWh battery provides the same range of 230 km.

Mini Cabriolet in a future electric lineup?

The manufacturer is not new to electric. While the 3-door is the only model in the catalog, the Mini JCW (John Cooper Works) was envisioned as an electric concept. Evidenced by the fact that it tested its performance on the famous Nürburgring circuit. The brand was then exploring a sporty model, without confirming it.

With this Mini Cabriolet, it’s a second step in contemplating a 100% electric range. While the upcoming generation starting in 2023 will still offer petrol versions, we already know that by 2030, Mini will no longer have thermal models.

To expand the zero-emission lineup, the electric cousin of the Countryman, sharing its platform with the BMW iX1, will also arrive next year. A second electric crossover is also planned. Could there be room for a 5-door Mini or Clubman electric?

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