Mini USA, a business unit of BMW of North America, announced this week the launch of the ordering site for its all-new battery electric MINI Cooper SE.
The 2020 Mini Cooper SE is set to reach US showrooms in early March of 2020 at a price of around $US29,900 ($A43,650 converted).
Customers in Australia will have to wait a little longer, with the SE expected to arrive sometime in the middle of 2020.
There is also no specific price announced for Australia – though you can register your interest here – but with the US model converting to $A43,600, a British price tag of £24,400 OTR (including Plug-in Car grant) converting to $A46,600, and the European cost of €32,500 converting to $A52,800, the price could be anything between $45,000 and $55,000, plus GST and on roads.
“On the emotional side, ‘fun to drive’ is the number one reason why consumers purchase a Mini , and this new Mini Electric offers the same fun-to-drive, go-kart reflexes we’ve built into our Mini Cooper S hardtop,” said Michael Peyton, Vice President, Mini of the Americas.
“On the rational side, 80% of all Mini house-holds own two or more cars, and with an accessible price, the Mini Electric is a perfect complement in offering more customers attainable, emission-free driving.”
The 2020 Mini Cooper SE will deliver power from a 135 kW motor and an innovative driving dynamics system with wheel slip limiting close to the actuator, giving what Mini Cooper describes as “a particularly intense and unmistakable agility”.
With a range of around 235 to 270 kilometres, the new 3-door hatch Mini will store the high-voltage battery deep in the vehicle floor, ensuring no disruption to luggage space.
Boasting a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) acceleration time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 149.99km, the MINI Cooper SE can charge to 80% in only 35 minutes thanks to its 32.6 kwh battery size.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.