[Taboleo] Cute but Fast

Mini Cooper SE Electric Test Drive
Small Battery with 159 km Range
Divided into Four Driving Modes
Green Plus Enables Temperature Control and Speed Limit
Allows Efficient Driving

Mini Cooper SE Electric in motion

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The strong loyalty to the MINI brand likely stems from its unique design and the pure enjoyment of driving it offers. This brand, which boasts the driving feel of a go-kart, a small racing vehicle, allows the car and driver to become one, freely navigating winding roads as they please. While cars serve countless purposes, excelling at driving satisfies a primal desire.

When MINI announced it would produce electric vehicles, public reactions were mixed. The motor’s characteristic of responding immediately to acceleration fits well, but there were concerns about whether the small body could handle the inevitably bulky battery. After experiencing the MINI Electric, MINI’s first electric car recently launched in Korea, it is clear that the brand has thoughtfully addressed both expectations and concerns.

Although it does not guarantee the driving range of other recent electric vehicles, there is a clear determination not to compromise on driving performance. This impression came after driving the top trim model, the MINI Cooper SE Electric, around downtown Seoul.

Mini Cooper SE Electric. Various points throughout the interior and exterior, including the side mirror color, highlight that it is an electric vehicle.

The officially recognized single-charge driving range in Korea is 159 km. Considering that many electric vehicles nowadays exceed 400 km, this is a noticeable difference. This is due to the smaller battery. While mid-size sport utility vehicles (SUVs) or sedan-class electric cars use batteries of 70 kWh or more, this car uses a 32.6 kWh battery. It is positioned in a T-shape underneath.

Unlike other electric vehicles that fill the entire underside with the battery, which raises the occupants’ seating position somewhat, this model actually lowers the center of gravity slightly compared to the internal combustion engine version. The interior space of the 3-door MINI is naturally compact, but the electric version is not any smaller. Typically, converting an internal combustion engine model to electric results in restrictions on interior space and weight due to the battery, but MINI solved this by reducing battery capacity.

Mini Cooper SE Electric charging. The officially certified single-charge driving range is 159 km, but the actual driving range displayed on the dashboard when fully charged can reach up to 200 km. As expected from an electric vehicle, it enables more efficient driving in stop-and-go urban traffic.

Driving is divided into four modes. The usual Normal, Sport, and Green modes are present, with the Green Plus mode standing out. Green mode offers relatively gentle acceleration, while Green Plus further enhances efficiency by controlling temperature and limiting top speed. Regenerative braking, which charges the battery through inertia when the accelerator is released, can be easily adjusted between two levels (high and low) via a button located right next to the start button.

Choosing high regenerative braking makes one-pedal driving, where the brake pedal is rarely used, easy to get accustomed to. The raw driving sensation continues the tradition of existing MINI models. Press the accelerator and it surges forward; turn the wheel and the direction changes accordingly. This is likely what it feels like when the driver, car, and road are synchronized.

The price is 49.9 million KRW (basic trim 45.6 million KRW), and with subsidies, it is available from the mid-30 million to low-40 million KRW range. About 800 units are planned for Korea this year, and approximately 90% have already been reserved through pre-orders. The decision to launch in Korea before China and Japan likely reflects confidence that Korean customers recognize MINI’s value despite the driving range limitation.

Mini Cooper SE Electric dashboard. The design is the same as the existing internal combustion engine model, but it displays information unique to electric vehicles.