All-new Mini Cooper EV breaks cover

Mini has taken the wraps off the second-generation EV, and, unlike the current Mini Cooper SE, which was built in the UK and also sold in the Indian market, this one is being built in China. The new Mini EV sits on a new front-wheel-drive platform engineered by Spotlight Automotive, BMW’s joint venture with Great Wall Motors.

A petrol-engined version, evolved from the current car, will be built in Oxford, UK, sitting on an entirely different platform, but taking the same design direction as the new EV.

1. Mini Cooper EV will be three-door only
2. Mini Aceman will replace the current 5-door Mini
3. New Cooper EV convertible to come by 2025

Mini Cooper EV: what else is new?

The resemblance to the current-gen car is evident, and indeed, the new Mini Cooper EV still measures roughly 3.8m from bumper to bumper, but it’s clear that the designers have worked hard to make good on a promise to bring “the iconic hatch back to its roots”. A wider track, shorter overhangs, a longer wheelbase and larger wheels give the Mini EV a noticeably more purposeful stance. The company’s vocal commitment to minimalism (and thereby sustainability) extends to a much purer and simpler overall treatment.

Gone are the chunky black plastic wheel-arch claddings, clamshell bonnet, contrasting trim accents and chrome headlight surrounds of today’s Mini, in favour of a fresh look majoring more on function than fashion.

Mini Cooper EV interior

While the new Mini EV’s interior is still under wraps, it will most likely follow suit with an emphasis on approachability and simplicity. There will be an ignition key-style starter, for example, and physical switches and buttons will still be used for the most important controls. Mini’s trademark circular central display will be filled by an infotainment screen and there will be no traditional gauge cluster, with important data and information instead displayed in a “funky” way on the dashboard.

Mini Cooper EV powertrain, range details

The new EV will match the current car’s 184hp and is expected to get from 0-100kph in roughly 7.0sec. That would make it nearly as quick as today’s petrol-engined Cooper S hot hatch and, more importantly, a close rival to the new Abarth 500e which is sold abroad.

However, a warmed-up version is in the pipeline with 215hp, promising to serve as a contender for supremacy in the nascent electric hot hatch segment. And that will eventually be eclipsed by a John Cooper Works version, thought to muster around 250hp.

The standard electric Mini will use a 40kWh battery for a claimed range of 384km (up on just 240km in today’s car), while the hotter Cooper SE will use a larger, 54kWh pack to push closer to 480km. Mini has yet to confirm how quickly the electric Mini will charge, or how the battery is arranged within the platform.

The five-door hatchback will be indirectly replaced next year by the similarly long but higher-riding, electric-only Aceman. A replacement to the current convertible is also in the works, but this isn’t expected before 2025.

Mini Cooper EV: will it come to India?

Mini was quite quick to introduce the Mini Cooper SE in India, although in limited numbers. Similarly, we expect the new Mini Cooper EV to come to India after it goes on sale in major global markets.