Mini Cooper SE electric receives a refresh; lands in Europe March 2021, Australia in Q3 2021
MINI refreshes COOPER SE Electric hatch; subtle interior and exterior upgrades are the order of the day
Same 135kW (184hp) motor and 32.6kWh battery
New exterior design, with new Island Blue Metallic paint finish and optional colour gradient roof
Adaptive LED headlights, 17” alloys and Connected Navigation package standard
Driver Assistance Package with Active Cruise Control now an option for the Mini Cooper SE
Mini has refreshed the Cooper SE model in its line up, with a fresh face sporting a hexagonal grille and other subtle exterior upgrades in line with its petrol siblings. The most obvious change perhaps is the distinct lack of yellow highlights everywhere denoting the ‘E’ variant; perhaps customer feedback suggested the Mini Cooper SE would be a more enticing proposition if it looked exactly like the regular Mini hatch?
The Mini Cooper SE has lost its yellow mirrors and ‘E’ bading; you’d have to look hard to see this was the electric variant. Images: BMW AG
A new exterior colour and rooftop colour are available, known as Island Blue metallic and Rooftop Grey respectively. The MINI Electric Collection also includes the painted Multitone Roof. According to BMW, with the aid of a new paintwork technique, the MINI plant in Oxford has created a fascinating colour gradient from San Marino Blue through Pearly Aqua to Jet Black, extending from the windscreen frame to the rear.
Mini’s new gradient roof is impressive for its technique, but won’t be to everyone’s taste.
The electric drivetrain in the Cooper SE has not changed—it’s still sporting the 32.6kWh battery with 200-234km WLTP range, and a respectable power output of 135kW. Mini has created new equipment packages, and added the option of steering wheel heating for the first time.
The Connected Navigation package is now standard, with the Connected Navigation Plus package includes a Head-Up Display, telephony with Wireless Charging, Concierge Service and MINI Connected XL features available as an option.
Mini is offering a new Driver Assistance Package Plus package which includes Active Cruise Control, and now features a Stop & Go function for the first time. This enables the system to slow the MINI Cooper SE down to a standstill if necessary. In our opinion, this kind of active safety equipment should be standard on vehicles these days.
Pricing will be announced closer to the European launch in March 2021, and Australian launch in the second half of 2021.
The only cue at the front that this might be the silent variant
The Mini Cooper SE retains the power socket style wheel design, but with a bit less yellow for 2021.
The Mini Cooper SE retains the cute charm of the R53 Cooper, but with more presence, more vents and more grille
The Union Jack tail lamp design is a nice retro touch