In Munich, at the IAA exhibition, they showed a completely new three-door – this time electric. The “battery” MINI Cooper has nothing in common with its British predecessors: the installation of gasoline engines is not provided at all, partners from the Great Wall concern are now responsible for production, and genuine leather and chrome are no longer available for any configuration.
In the fifth generation, all electric hatchbacks are called MINI Cooper, although previously only selected configurations were called “Coopers”. A completely recognizable appearance remains, although the branded hood, door handles for a direct grip or a slotted radiator grille are now in the past. But the new three-door has added streamlining (the Cx coefficient has been improved from 0.3 to 0.28), and the buyer can express himself by changing the pattern of daytime running lights.
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In the cabin, it is impossible to do without analogies with the classic MINI: all information for the driver is concentrated in the center! The interface is implemented through a 240-mm round touchscreen, driving modes are switched by a lever in the center, and the multi-wheel comes with only two spokes. Options include a projection screen, valet parking, a panoramic roof, as well as a fabric strap on the steering wheel, sports seats and combined fabric inserts.
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The new MINI Cooper is based on a platform with a front-mounted electric motor. Behind retained independent suspension. The base Cooper E hatchback is equipped with a 184-horsepower (290 Nm) engine and a 40.7 kilowatt-hour battery. Power reserve – 305 kilometers (WLTP), acceleration 0-100 will take 7.3 seconds.
The alternative is a boosted Cooper SE (218 hp, 330 Nm) with a 54.2 kWh battery. Such a three-door autonomy will be 402 kilometers (WLTP), acceleration 0-100 will take 6.7 seconds, and a more powerful charger will become a bonus. However, from 10 to 80 percent, both versions are charged in half an hour.
Sales of the new MINI Cooper electric vehicles will begin only in 2024, but it is already known that in England the model will fall in price by eight percent, and the starting price will be below 30 thousand pounds. Worldwide, hatchbacks will start shipping from a factory in China. Gasoline Cooper is not going to retire yet, but he is waiting for an update on his program without changing the platform.
Forgotten concept cars: mid-engined MINI
