The MINI Cooper SE electric hatchback received a round of minor updates in February this year, with sales having commenced in March. The incremental update, a facelift of sorts, brings the Honda e rival a redesigned front-end for a sportier look.
Source: Youtube/MINI
For the United States
The enhancements made to the MINI Cooper SE include updated front and rear bumpers, side scuttles and grille, and Piano Black MINI emblems and model badges, and the Multitone roof. The Cooper Electric gets the yellow-accented ‘S’ and closed-off radiator grille. Additional wheel options include the 16” Victory Spoke black, 17” Scissor Spoke 2-tone, and 17” Tentacle Spoke black. MINI says the 2022 models get air curtains on the bumper and deletion of the fog lights improve the clarity of the front and aid aerodynamics.
Interior upgrades include a new steering wheel design, new center instrument design with an 8.8-inch screen, lane departure warning, heated steering wheel, and Sirius Satellite Radio as standard.
Slightly better range
There are no mechanical updates to the brand’s first EV in this update, so the 181 hp/199 lb-ft electric motor continues launching the electric hatch from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.9 seconds. The modest net/gross battery pack of 28.9 kWh/32.6 kWh enables a marginally better driving range in the 2022 model. The combined EPA range stands at 114 miles (183 km), 4 miles or 3.6% higher than before. As the MINI Cooper SE is an urban runabout, the figure of significance is 122.4 miles (197 km) of EPA City range (an improvement of 4.7%). In Europe, the Cooper SE has a driving range of 203-234 km in the WLTP cycle.
Price
| 2022 MINI Cooper variant | Price in the U.S. |
| MINI Cooper SE Classic | $29,900 |
| MINI Cooper SE Signature | $33,900 |
| MINI Cooper SE Iconic | $36,900 |
Despite the revisions, the 2022 MINI Cooper SE does not get any expensive. It is the cheapest new electric car you can buy in the United States. At USD 30,750 (including the destination charge), the price comes down to USD 23,250 after applying the USD 7,500 federal tax credit for buying or leasing the small EV.
The Cooper SE is priced from EUR 32,500 in Germany before the EUR 9,000 credit bringing the price down to EUR 23,500. Sadly it cannot hold the same title as its American counterpart across the pond, as the Dacia Spring EV is available at a post-credit price of EUR 11,490 in the German market.
Individualization
On the individualization front, a special ‘Electric Collection’ edition adds the option of a new exterior color – Island Blue Metallic. Black mirror caps, 17-inch ‘electric’ edition alloy wheels, and glossy piano-black inserts on the grille, headlight and taillight surrounds, MINI logos, and door handles round up the exterior updates.
Buyers opting for the electric collection variant of the MINI Cooper SE will gain adaptive LED headlights, sports seats, anthracite-colored roof lining, steering wheel heating, and a connected navigation package with an option to spec a Head Up Display and wireless charging.
‘Multitone Roof’ option
In Europe, Mini has introduced the ‘Multitone Roof’ customization option for the Cooper SE. Buyers can get the roof finished in a three-color design, thanks to a unique wet-on-wet painting process. The ‘Multitone Roof’ customization option was erstwhile available only with the ICE models.
The roof is finished with three different paint shades of dark San Marino Blue, Pearly Aqua, and Jet Black, with the impression of flowing gradients between them. In this special paint technique developed at Mini’s plant in Oxford, the roof is first painted in Pearly Aqua paint, with San Marino Blue applied to the front portion of the roof and Jet Black to the rear.
‘Roof tent’ option
Buyers can now have the Mini Cooper SE in Europe with a customized carrier system with a roof tent. Designed for those who have a knack for outdoor camping, the tent can be mounted on the roof of the Mini Cooper SE, on the roof rails with the assistance of a railing rack available in the list of optional accessories.
After mounting it on the roof, the whole housing of the roof tent is opened up by releasing its safety catches, which results in lifting of the structure of the tent – a job performed by gas springs. The entire tent then welcomes one with two sleeping berths and windows in them. The latter can be opened up as and when needed and has additional mosquito nets in front of them. The structure also comes with a foldable aluminum ladder with eight rungs.
2025 MINI Electric gets Convertible option
And while the current MINI Cooper SE is available as a hardtop only, MINI has confirmed that the next-generation model is scheduled for its reveal in 2025 with an electric drive.
“The success story of the MINI Convertible will be continued,” the brand’s surprise announcement on May 12 read. The development of a successor of the open-top four-seater is a “done deal,” it added. Bernd Körber, Head of the MINI brand, remarks that the Convertible has a loyal fan base, which convinces the company of the future success of the Convertible concept.
Even in cold weather climates like Germany, almost one in five MINIs sold was a convertible (2020 sales). Further, MINI has announced it will be a purely electric brand by 2030. Including the convertible variant in its electric portfolio is a way to keep the fun element of the brand preserved.
Global sales
Launched in 2020, the Mini Cooper SE has turned out as a reasonable success for the carmaker not only in the U.S. but in all markets where it is present and isn’t just a trial balloon. Mini has sold 30,000 units of Cooper SE worldwide to date. Even in the first half of the current year, Mini’s sales of electric models contributed more than 15 percent.
Featured image: MINI
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