Mini Electric In-Depth Review - Should it be your first EV?

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It's natural that there should be a MINI Electric variant. This little Hatch lends itself to battery power and quick-step EV pulling power. The driving range possible between charges isn't a particular strongpoint here, but it'll probably be fine for urban folk, who'll appreciate this car's enthusiastic take on life. Market interest suggests that it could prove rather popular.
Background
It's curious that it's taken BMW's MINI brand so long to bring us an all-electric version of its iconic little hatch model. The Bavarians have, after all, been experimenting with battery-powered versions of this model for years - MINI E prototypes were first produced as long ago as 2008.
Following that, it was always assumed that BMW's first battery-powered car would wear MINI badging but time drifted on, nothing happened and in fact it was the BMW i3, launched in 2016, that reached the EV market first. Since then, we've had an electrified MINI - the Countryman PHEV - but no full-battery model. Until now. Here, at last, is the MINI Electric.
Driving Experience
This MINI Electric uses a 32.6kWh battery pack with a 184hp output and maximum torque of 270Nm. From rest, 62mph takes just 7.3s, so we're talking near-MINI Cooper S levels of performance, though as with all EVs, the maximum speed is restricted - in this case to just 93mph. But then, when was the last time you drove over 93mph? The car sits a little higher off the road than a Cooper S to give the battery more clearance but the centre of gravity is lower because more of the mass is concentrated further down. Weight distribution is quite different to a normal MINI Hatch too, the battery's bulk dictating a 54/46 front-to-rear ratio rather than the usual 60:40-split.
To get the most from the electric motor's torque, you'll need to master the various driving modes - 'Normal', 'Green' and 'Sport', the latter offering slingshot acceleration. The digital dashboard provides information on the current flow of energy and the range, as well as offering ways of increasing range by deactivating comfort functions or boosting energy regeneration. On the navigation map, a circle that indicates the car's range can be shown. When the route guidance starts, it displays the fastest and shortest route and also suggests a GREEN route involving the lowest level of power consumption.
Design and Build
The MINI Electric is based on the same body shell as the 3-Door Hatch, with a number of specific differences. An embossed MINI Electric logo appears on car's side scuttles, as well as on the tailgate and front radiator grille. The front grille features the hallmark hexagonal shape but is closed, as the car requires less cooling. This also contributes to sleek aerodynamics, as do the enclosed undercarriage and the rear apron. Boot volume can be compromised in electric cars but the MINI Electric retains the full MINI Hatch 211-litres, expanding to 731-litres when the rear backrests are folded down.
Inside, it's pretty much like any normal MINI Hatch, except for the addition of a new digital dashboard with a 5.5-inch colour screen behind the steering wheel. Road speed is shown at the centre in figures with a peripheral scale band, as well as information on the charge level of the battery, the selected MINI Driving Mode, the status of the driver assistance systems and check control messages. In addition, details of the available range, current drive power, outside temperature, time and mileage are displayed, with traffic sign detection reports and directions from the navigation system.
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Опубликовано:

15 ноя 2020

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Комментарии : 54

@itsfahys 3 года назад

Excellent review particularly about the Safety features that are rarely covered in other reviews.

@marktiller1383 Год назад

I love the union jack rear lights, they remind you that the car comes from a great English heritage. I'm an Australian and you should be proud of a great car.

@OsvUkVehicleSupply Год назад

We certainly are, Mark! Do you have your eye on the Mini Electric?

@silvermovermedia9737 3 года назад

Great little car i especially like the rear Union Jack lights !

@OsvUkVehicleSupply 3 года назад

They are great!!

@stevenbarrett7648 11 месяцев назад

It’s German !

@bobbralee1019 3 года назад

Well done!! the first OSV review of any car I've seen with batteries and electric motors which doesn't mention "Milk float mobility". Odd you didn't compare it to the BMW I3s I would have thought although more expensive its range and lifestyle image might have made it worth a mention ?

@OsvUkVehicleSupply 3 года назад

Thanks for the feedback, Bob - we'll take this on-board 👍

@PaulTaylor80 7 месяцев назад

Why talk about the rear lights like it’s a massive problem?

@cadriver2570 3 года назад

Had it for a couple months now. It is an incredible vehicle! Being an EV it probably solves the main downside to Minis (reliability).

@OsvUkVehicleSupply 3 года назад

We're glad you're enjoying the MINI Electric!

@vincentlamoureuxdistefano2233 3 года назад

Has the range been an issue? What has been the longest you've been able to achieve? I've seen as many reviews that suggest the range is longer than advertised than say it is shorter... I'm thinking of getting a used one in a year or wait for a larger battery.

@cadriver2570 3 года назад

@@vincentlamoureuxdistefano2233 Nope, but I take a different EV for long trips. The most I've done at a single time in the Mini was around 130 miles (warm weather). It wasn't hard. The display will say "90 miles" but then go much further. The car charges really fast for its battery size (7kW AC, 50 kW DC). The tradeoff with a bigger battery is handling. It wouldn't be as fun. Maybe in 5+ years the kWh/kg ratio will improve enough for a substantial increase in range while not adding weight. But I doubt that will happen soon. Other EVs are HEAVY.

@vincentlamoureuxdistefano2233 3 года назад

@@cadriver2570 and to what extent did the cold impact the battery? I don't know what weather you have but here it gets in the minus 10 to 20 easily during winter. Thanks for the answers btw :) This will be my first car and I want to make sure it's a good choice!

@cadriver2570 3 года назад

@@vincentlamoureuxdistefano2233 I've only driven it down to 45F (summer tires). The range impact was around 5%. It has a heat pump and heated seats as standard equipment to mitigate the losses as much as possible. If you assume 20% at the worst you should be fine. Pre-heating the cabin and timing the charge to finish before trips helps too. Happy to help :)

@denizhanozkara 3 года назад

the most comprehensive car channel

@clarecheffey9330 Год назад

Have to spend it around about the mini I love electric minis I hope more of them are sold good given ideas that can help with the way it work I can't always work it out so least sending you the ideas you can look into some of the ideas of it might even find a other idea in it here a other idea with a fan where you are going a long you start running out of power you use a bit of electric from the car and then start the fan up as you are going at a speed that makes wind take over and that makes power till find the nearest power point as you can still change it up by a power point I do have to say we do need more power points it more likely get people more into electronic cars and become cheaper at some point

@yes8032 3 года назад

My favourite electric microcar

@OsvUkVehicleSupply 3 года назад

Brilliant choice, George!

@clarecheffey9330 Год назад

I think is a good idea with all the stuff with the phone trying to find it and find places to change and all that so you don't have to worry about stuff so much here a idea I thought you might like to use it still uses a charger what happens is as your driving along and you feel like the power is going down so you use a bit of power from the car to help a fan you have set up with the charger meter as the charger is putting power in as there some power to push it in to the car so at the car meter must have some kind of push to help turn a fan round to have like a emergency charger so if you do start getting low but because the fan has been made to turn in when you need it then the fan will use a little bit of electric from the car charger it pulls some air back to help it get ready for use and as your going a long the road you see your running low you can start the fan from turning from the saved wind that you had added on from the charger then a little power from the car that is got left can help it start up it let's go of the fan and let's it turn the air that ready to be let go that starts it turning then it let's the wind take over turning it by letting it turn it a charge which helps people not to panic you can look into this ideas just though to give some ideas so you can look into bits of the idea Clare Cheffey

@oddities-whatnot 3 года назад

Electric cars will be great when the charging time is just a few minutes at a service station, and for prices to come down. Until then its not an option for most people. Early days I know but give it ten to fifteen years, things should have improved by then so the masses can take up the idea. I would like one eventually, its very relaxing driving an electric powered car, drove a plug in hybrid 330e recently and although it was low on charge, it was very pleasant for a few miles in total silence.

@cadriver2570 3 года назад

Haven't been to a gas station in a couple years. Just plug in at home. Works great! When chargers are working well, a fast charging EV might only stop for ~20 minutes for 200 miles.

@idparkinson 3 года назад

When do you need to refuel in a few minutes? It is a change of mindset that in needed. Rather than waste time standing in a smelly petrol station filling my car, I spend 10 seconds plugging it in at home and then it takes car of the fill up while I get on with my life doing other things. I also only pay 1.1p per mile instead of the 14p per mile of my previous petrol car. Price wise, if you spec a petrol Mini Cooper S to the same level it is actually more expensive than the EV version after the government grant. Over 4 years the EV version will be £9k less expensive to buy / run than the equivalent ICE model.

@piglet5287 3 года назад

@@idparkinson the petrol Cooper S is overpriced anyway especially if you buy lots of options, so you are setting the bar rather low!

@marklola12 2 года назад

why do people moan or make issue that the max speed is 90 or so mph lol you legally can not drive even that fast so its a NON issue

@clarecheffey9330 Год назад

And yes I definitely show people how good they are

@gregp9133 2 года назад

Absolutely great car for fun or for everyday commuting. All other e-cars are either dull or too expensive. This car is really cool and stylish. Bad things: - the plastic charging port cover is not waterproof and the sounds are terrible. They must have been designed by Germans. Please give it to the Italians !

@OsvUkVehicleSupply 2 года назад

Great to hear that you're enjoying the Mini Electric, Greg! Thanks for watching 👍

@clarecheffey9330 Год назад

I love the mini is got is good point and bad but all cars do

@PB-fj5lh 3 года назад

Nice little car, with a good standard spec but far too expensive for that size and range and those wheels! Oh my goodness, I can't see many people choosing those.

@idparkinson 3 года назад

If you specify a Petrol Cooper S to the same level it is actually more expensive that the EV version after the government grant. I love the wheels and so do many other owners it seems as loads are being ordered and delivered with them fitted. They can be swapped for others at no cost when you order. I have the exact same model, colour, wheels as the car in the review, it is sort of the poster combination that Mini have been promoting and giving for test drives. I did not order mine, I was lucky enough to fine the exact model I wanted in stock at my local dealer.

@piglet5287 3 года назад

I wonder what Issigonis would have made of it

@stevenbarrett7648 11 месяцев назад

Nice looking but the price is set far too high for such a short range vehicle, brand loyal customers are probably lining up to buy it though, not me, its not a real mini its a BMW with a British badge stuck on it like MG and Volvo just another bunch of Chinese cars with British badges glued on. If this car had a Geely or BYD badge on the front it would sit in the showrooms for many years at such a high price / very low mileage….bit like the Honda EV, looks great range is laughable

@Displays.1234. Год назад

Centre display is ridiculous round make's no sense has you end up with a very small display.. plus the range is very poor in this day and age for a electric car...

@markscars1069 3 года назад

Bought a new JCW in September 2020 as a second car. Didn’t even bother looking at the E. No interest whatsoever. Curious to watch the review but the range comments really reinforced my decision. Even as a second car we need more range.

@lucaparker1084 3 года назад

Horrible wheels

@idparkinson 3 года назад

Fantastic wheels, I love them on my car

@piglet5287 3 года назад

Lots of toys to play with while you sit on the hard shoulder waiting for the emergency charging truck to turn up...oh hang on, the toys might need some electricity. Let's hope it's not a "smart" motorway. Sometimes I begin to resent that my taxes are going towards subsidising such useless machinery. Excellent review as usual.

@OsvUkVehicleSupply 3 года назад

Hi James, thanks for watching 👍 We take it you're not quite ready to go electric yet?

@piglet5287 3 года назад

@@OsvUkVehicleSupply I'd happily consider hybrids or indeed EVs with a sensible range, but I need at least 250 miles (official) range

@Ben-km4qy 3 года назад

Agree with this! Won’t be going full electric unless I have too. Petrol all the way

@piglet5287 3 года назад

@@idparkinson in fact I've looked into the matter very carefully. Yes my AVERAGE journey length is short, but around 5-6 times a year, I drive 185 mostly motorway miles from the Midlands to see my elderly parents in the north east. I am likely to be called upon in an emergency as they get more frail. If the official range of an EV is less than 250 miles that means in winter, with motorways, the steep hills of the N Yorkshire Moors, rain, headwinds, etc. I could be looking at 170-180 miles real range. (Renault say that the Zoe 135's range drops from 230 to about 160 in winter; few makers are so honest). That means I'm reliant on public chargers at one of two motorway services, and I've several times checked them on Zapp (?) to find them out of order. Then there's the extra hour charging time IF all is functional and IF no queues. Frankly my stress levels would be sky high every time I undertook such an adventure! So be careful who you call ignorant and please cease the doublespeak about "average journey length". Next you'll tell me I should buy an EV but hire a ICE just for the long journeys: have a look at the maths first please.

@piglet5287 3 года назад

@@idparkinson of course there are lots of charging points but only two are useful (and only 15 miles apart , so really they are little better than one), Woodall and Tibshelf. I wouldn't consider it acceptable to have to charge up TWICE on a 185m trip- who would? I'm not happy giving exact location details out on RU-vid. Yes I do stop for 5-10 min but your charging times are optimistic: an e Mini might charge in a short time but it has a small battery! A Mini would not reliably even do the circa 110 miles from Woodall without a second recharge, somewhere in North Yorkshire.p.s. thanks for your concern for my welfare!