Days after its web debut, the new, all-electric MINI Cooper SE landed in New York City for the 2019 Formula E e-Prix. Hosted actually by Brooklyn, the electric cars championship has become a staple for the city and also an opportunity for automakers to showcase their latest production series vehicles.
The new MINI Cooper SE will share quite a lot of its underpinnings with the BMW i3 S. The electric motor, the batteries and electronics will be shared and that’s definitely good news. The BMW i3 S got a rather warm welcome from the media and that’s because it truly drives great.
Thus, the MINI Cooper SE will have around 180 HP and 200 lb-ft of torque, available instantly. Furthermore, it will have the new DSC system from the i3 S which is faster than any other used by BMW before it, reacting almost instantly. If the car will also be as light as the i3, chances are it’s going to be pretty fast and fun as well, even with front-wheel drive.
According to MINI, the Cooper SE can scoot from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.3 seconds. That’s not blistering but it’s not bad, either. It’s also the exact same quoted time as the standard MINI Cooper. So it’s decently quick. More importantly, it will feel quicker than that, especially in the city. It’s 0-60 km/h (37 mph) is rated at 3.9 seconds. So it has good short area quickness. Though, it’s not a deep threat, with only a 150 km/h (93 mph) top speed.
The T-shaped battery in the belly of the Cooper SE is just 32.6 kWh. However, it’s enough to give the Cooper SE a max range of 235 km – 270 km (145 – 168 miles). Charging at 11 kW, the MINI Cooper SE can go from near flat to 80 percent in two and half hours. On a DC fast charger at 50 kW, it can do that in just 35 minutes.
The MINI Cooper SE, will arrive in the US early next year and we will get to drive it soon.
