Fully Electric MINI Cooper now offered as a convertible
MINI had earlier announced that it would go fully electric as a brand by the end of this decade.
The fully electric MINI Cooper SE with a retractable roof has broken covers globally. The standard fixed-roof version of the same made its way to India in 2021 and is currently priced at Rs 50.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The all-electric hatch will be manufactured at the brand’s facility in the Netherlands.
Only 999 units of the convertible MINI Cooper SE will be produced and they will be limited to the European markets alone. Deliveries for the sporty electric hatch is slated to commence from April this year. The British brand claims this is the world's first convertible electric vehicle (EV) to have a series production.
Exterior styling
Barring the convertible rooftop, Cooper SE convertible is visually identical to the regular fixed-top variant. In fact, it is similar to its ICE (internal combustion engine) powered sibling on most accounts, except for the dual-tone spoke design on the 17-inch alloy wheels and the E logo on the front apron and the rear, signifying its emission-free powertrain.
Adding more distinction are door sill trims, side scuttles, and, more significantly, the ‘1 of 999’ lettering, emphasising the exclusive character of the limited edition open-air MINI. The convertible rooftop comes with a typical Union Jack pattern and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 30 kmph.
The battery-powered crossover is offered with two exterior colour options–Enigmatic Black and White Silver. The door handles, side scuttles, and surrounds of the front and rear lights are finished in Resolute Bronze. The MINI logos and the model lettering feature in elegant Piano Black to match.
Interiors and features
Inside its cabin, the convertible MINI Cooper SE gets the same layout as its standard fixed-top version comprising yellow accents on the dashboard, gear lever and toggle switches on the centre console. Other visual highlights include a Nappa-leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel and piano black surface on the dashboard.
MINI Cooper SE comes equipped with features such as connected infotainment system, digital instrument console, ambient lighting, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control with start/stop functionality.
Powertrain specs
Powering MINI Cooper SE Convertible is a single electric motor that generates 184 bhp and 270 Nm of torque. Although the battery capacity has not been revealed, the carmaker claims it offers a maximum range of 201 km on a single charge, according to the WLTP cycle. As for performance, the convertible electric hatch can sprint 0-100 kmph in 8.2 seconds.
(Images courtesy: MINI)
Edited by Swetha Kannan