2020 Bangkok Motor Show: Mini Cooper SE unveiled

KUALA LUMPUR: At the 41st Bangkok International Motor Show, Mini officially unveiled the 2020 Cooper SE, aka Electric in few markets. It is the first-ever electric model from the company, thus signifying their commitment to zero-emission mobility.

The Copper SE model is based on the current-generation Copper, and both share the same design language. However, differentiating the two are the yellow accents that are present all around the electric model - like on the front grille, tyre rim, and ORVM. A yellow badge on the tailgate also reminds one of its electric soul.

Like the exterior, the cabin also gets yellow trims, actings as a constant reminder of the car's electric nature - top-rim of the infotainment display, gear-lever, and a few knobs on the centre console. Besides unique to the SE version are carbon black seats with double stripe pattern. On the tech front, it gets dual-zone climate control, an 8.8-inch touch display that acts as both powertrain and battery monitor, and a 5.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The three-door electric Mini uses the same drivetrain as the BMW i3S. This highly-efficient motor puts out a maximum power of 184 PS and a peak torque of 270 Nm. The company claims the car only takes 3.9 seconds to reach 0 to 60 kmph, while 0-100 kmph sprint is completed in 7.3 seconds before hitting a top speed of 150 kmph. It has a driving range somewhere between 235-270 km, thanks to the 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is placed between the front and rear seats.

The car will get 80% charged in 2.5 hours and 100% in 3.5 hours when connected to a Mini Wallbox. However, with a DC fast-charging system, the Cooper SE will get 80 percent charged in just 36 minutes.

In Thailand, the Cooper SE is priced at 2.29 million baht, which is not bad seeing what's on offer.

Will it come to Malaysia? We don't know for sure, but with developing electric mobility infrastructure in the country, it might greet us sometime in the future.

Also Read: 2021 Mini Countryman gets a mid-cycle update