Overview

MINI Australia wasn’t able to provide its debut electric model with a proper launch due to COVID-19 restrictions back in May 2020. Things change and they manage to pull of an “official” launch for the electron powered three-door hatch in time for World EV Day on September 9.

Despite that hiccup, word of the cute little EV, with minimalist exterior styling, has spread fast and it’s proven to be a real winner for the Brit-built brand accounting for some 41 per cent of all Mini three door hatch sales so far this year.

This level of popularity is set to continue as Mini rolls toward full electrification by 2030.

“Mini will be the first brand in the BMW Group to achieve full electrification across a wide model range that includes hatchbacks, small SUVs, sporty models and even perhaps a convertible,” said Mini Australia head of product James Orlov.

“A new dedicated EV platform comes on stream in 2025 which will eventually form the basis of all Minis.”

The funky little electric city car, still utilising a chassis adapted from internal combustion engine days, exudes Mini’s cheeky persona in the way it looks and goes but you’ll pay for the privilege as Mini Electric in entry SE Classic spec’ goes for $55,650 plus ORCs or a $10,000 premium over the 2.0-litre petrol powered S Classic.

Two other electric variants are available, the SE Yours at $62,825 and the Resolute Edition, based on Yours with additional kit and a special olive-green colour at $63,825, both plus ORCs.

That premium obviously doesn’t matter to a city-based clientele focused on electric power for which Mini Electric delivers a near ideal proposition in terms of car ownership.

Drive Impressions

They don’t tow, don’t go bush bashing, can’t be driven on the track and don’t drive interstate…. Mini Electrics just whizz around town, cost little to run, and look super cool.

In this environment, Mini Electric performs almost faultlessly as it offers plenty of zip to stay ahead of the traffic, has small dimensions for easy manoeuvres and parking, has an expandable boot/load space, can be readily and quickly recharged and is safe and well featured.

Another appealing aspect of Mini Electric is that it looks just like the other petrol-powered models, eschewing that ‘kooky’ appearance popular for some reason with other EV car-makers.

Not forgetting the go-kart drive feel for which Mini has been famous for nigh on 63 years.

As is the case with all current model Mini’s not much is left off the E’s feature list apart from electric seat adjustment.

Like the other two variants offered, Classic gets a 135kW/270Nm single electric motor electric powertrain direct driving the front wheels using a T-shaped underfloor 32.6 kWh battery with a range of 233km.

Best case scenario to 80 per cent battery recharge time is 36 minutes using a DC system, 2.5 hours on the AC type 2 plug with public recharge facilities up to 7.4kW compatible and a really long time using the at home domestic 240v outlet.

Key Mini Electric Classic hatch features include five colour choices, three 17-inch wheel choices, comfort access, piano black interior, heated front seats, QI phone charger, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, driving assistant and Apple CarPlay preparation.

Spend the extra for Mini Electric hatch in Yours spec’ and you get additionally: two more colour choices, two more 17-inch alloy wheel choices, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, specific floor mats, specific exterior badging, sunroof, sun protection glazing and head-up display.

Go the whole hog to Resolute and on top of Mini Yours you get the attractive olive/khaki green duco, white roof and mirror caps, bonnet striping, 17-inch ‘electric collection’ wheels, bronze finish to headlights, tail light bezels, grille surround, door handles and rear handle, specific side scuttles, front seat heaters, carbon cross hatch interior fascia, leather, Nappa leather clad wheel, anthracite headliner, park distance control, Mini driving modes and other handy kit.

It’s all there in Mini Electric which GoAuto was able to sample in its preferred environment; the bustling big city. We drove all three variants (two if you count Resolute as an ‘Edition’) but for all intents and purposes; the Classic is all you need.

With minor EV-specific differences, the interior is the same as other current model Minis with a range of fascia materials.

It’s a roomy, boxy little car with comfortable front seats and all driving controls are easy to use and reach thanks to the toggle type switches. Clear info’ read outs help the driver maintain control. Likewise the fat, small, multi-function steering wheel and afforded visibility.

Head and legroom are generous and easily capable of providing for taller drivers.

“Start” it and nothing happens, select D and nothing happens, the Mini sits silent awaiting throttle application.

Push the right pedal and Mini Electric shoots away with a linear power delivery and eerie, muted whirr completely unlike a bellowing ICE-powered car. Three drive modes are available, Mid, Green and Sport. Mid is the best for general driving in our opinion.

Though a touch kilowatt shy of the thermal-powered Cooper S, Mini Electric feels quick thanks to nearly instant maximum torque delivered by the electric traction motor.

It’s capable of clocking a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds, half a second slower than the 140kg lighter Cooper S. Mini Electric weighs in at 1365kg.

It gets out of the blocks quickly and sprints to the speed limit in a blink. But a tiny bit of hesitation is evident when you plant the right foot from a start, probably engineered-in as a safety precaution.

Though equipped with adaptive suspension, a degree of bump steer is evident under heavy throttle application on bumpy roads that tends to rock the steering wheel in your hands.

Best to avoid the bumps anyway.

So, no issues with how it goes, how does it handle?

Being heavier than the ICE-powered variants, Mini Electric is not quite as nimble but you are hard-pressed to differentiate. It still feels like a point and squirt go-kart and is incredibly nimble in tight going or traffic.

The steering conveys plenty of feel and the brakes are strong, especially with the regenerative function adding extra retardation but falling short of true one pedal driving.

The regenerative mode will slow Mini Electric to about 5km/h but not to a full stop like some other EVs.

It’s fun to chuck the car around zipping here and there but you have to be a tad careful as its nimbleness can take other road users by surprise.

Parking is a breeze, especially reverse parking as the actual rear of the car can be sighted from the driver’s seat as there’s practically no overhang, a reasonably tight turning circle, parking assistance too.

Some appealing options are available including a multi-tone, colour gradient roof and “pulse spoke” wheels that have a novel pattern.

A short drive of the Mini Electric shows a car that impresses with its style and standard equipment.

It looks and feels premium and that feel-good factor of being kinder to the environment goes some way to offsetting the extra spend over a petrol version.

Do you need more range and faster charging? Not if you’re a city slicker, no.