Here you have the test of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible, the 100% electric convertible, a very exclusive variant, since only 999 units will be produced, of which 53 will arrive in Spain (and don't try it anymore, because they are all sold). And its price is not exactly cheap, because it means that you have to pay nothing more and nothing less than 61,000 euros.
Produced in record time, the Mini electric convertible is available in two colors: Enigmatic Black Metallic and White Silver Metallic. The door handles, front grille trim, side scuttles, and headlamp and taillamp surrounds are Resolute Bronze.
If you look at the wheels, they are 17-inch in Electric Power Spoke design and are painted in two tones. It is part of the charm of a Mini convertible that offers other specific details on the door sills and side skirts and that is crowned with the inscription 1/999 to accentuate the exclusive character of the limited edition.
Undoubtedly, where you have to focus the most is on the textile hood, which is electrically operated and can be deployed while moving, up to a speed of 30 km/h (it takes 18 seconds both to fold and unfold). Broadly speaking, it is the same one that Mini has been riding in its convertibles and sports a Mini Yours-style design, with a typical Union Jack print.
As a curiosity, you already know that it has an intermediate position (only the roof part of the front seats is retracted to act as a sunroof).
New Cooper Electric
Step inside to find heated sports seats, a Nappa leather sports steering wheel (with optional heating), a Head-Up Display, and driving modes that vary the character of this Mini.
Engine, one and enough
Under the hood, the new electric Mini Cabrio with a 0-emission label is powered by an electric motor with 135 kW (184 hp) of power and 270 Nm of torque. It is an old acquaintance at BMW, a block that in the Mini is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds (it is half a second slower than the closed version).
As for the battery, this is a 32.6 kWh capacity with which, according to the brand itself, it is possible to travel 201 kilometers (32 km less than in the closed variant).
It's time to get going and hit the yellow button in the center of the console which boots up the system. The ergonomics are typical of Mini, where the first few times you have to briefly look for where the different controls are, but after a few kilometers, they do not cause much of a problem.
I put my foot down and doubts are immediately cleared up about how the increase in weight would affect the agility that is assumed for all Mini worth its salt, regardless of whether it burns gasoline or not. The electric version hardly loses the dynamic qualities of this car and what you are going to miss a lot is the sound, absent as it could not be otherwise.
And if the Mini Cooper SE Convertible accelerates very convincingly, it is also good at regenerating energy under braking, where you can even benefit from One Pedal driving by modulating accelerator pressure (when lifting it is able to stop).
When it comes to tackling turns, the steering is quick and transmits well what is happening on the front axle, so that you are able to read the grip limit of the wheels well. The suspension, rather hard, is capable of containing body rolls and excess weight well and makes the behavior of this Mini something as fun as it is predictable.
The Mini Cooper SE Cabrio has three driving modes. With Green or ECO, priority is given to battery autonomy and driving efficiency. In the Sport, the opposite happens: the electric Mini Cabrio displays all its spiciness (it improves throttle response, the role of the suspension, and the car is a little faster when starting.
That said, it is clear that because of the limited autonomy, the Mini Cooper SE Cabrio is a car to enjoy on short journeys (the theoretical 201 kilometers can become a problem on long journeys).
In any case, due to its small trunk (160 liters capacity), it is very likely that you do not want to make overly ambitious trips.
Conclusion
The best
Exclusivity, driving sensations, quality, behavior
Worst
high weight, no noise, trunk
0 Comments