Earlier today, Mini Malaysia launched the all-electric Cooper SE in the local market. The said car is the company’s first mass-produced EV. Based on the Mini 3 Door, the two cars look very similar, with the only difference being the inclusion of an electric motor instead of the conventional internal combustion power plant. Let us now get into the details and first impression of the Cooper SE.

2020 Mini Cooper SE: Price & availability

The all-electric Cooper SE price tag reads RM 225,888; with sales tax exemption, the EV can be yours for RM 218,381. It is available at all the official Mini dealerships nationwide, and it can even be booked online at a fee of RM 1000. This price includes a 4-year unlimited mileage warranty and an 8-year/100,000 km high voltage battery warranty with free scheduled service. The EV is also covered by Mini Malaysia’s 5-year roadside assistance programme which includes a 24/7 accident and help assistance hotline, replacement vehicle, towing service, and more.

Interested buyers can also check out BMW Group Finance Services - Balloon Financing scheme. Wherein the Cooper SE EV will be yours at RM2,421 per month.

2020 Mini Cooper SE: Engine & performance

The all-electric Mini Cooper SE is powered by a front-axle electric motor that weighs less than the conventional engine. The said motor puts out a maximum power of 184 hp at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 270 Nm from 100 to 1000 rpm. The EV can go from 0 to 100 km in 7.3 seconds, and its top speed is limited to 150 kmph. Further, its 32.6 kWh lithium-ion battery delivers a 270 km range when the EV is fully charged.

Speaking of charging, the Cooper SE can be fed in several ways - at home, it can be charged up to 80% in 12 hours via the household wall socket. The Mini Wallbox Plus can also be used for the job; it takes two and a half hours to charge the EV up to 80%. The same goes for public charging stations. What a fast charging solution? The car supports 50kW fast DC charging that recharges the battery up to 80% in just 35 minutes.

As per Mini, during coasting mode, Cooper SE’s electric motor functions as a generator and transforms kinetic energy into electric power that then feeds the high-voltage battery. The car is offered with four driving modes - Mid, Sport, Green, and Green+ (it enhances the range by limiting a few comforting features).

Mini has raised the EV’s height by 18 mm to protect its battery from road debris. Also, in the event of collision or accident, the automatic failsafe function immediately shuts all drive components.

Further, the car features two brake regeneration levels, rear multi-link setup, single-joint McPherson strut with aluminium swivel braking upfront, and weight optimising trailing arms.

2020 Mini Cooper SE: Exterior design

Mini has given the Cooper SE hatch electrifying yellow accents that make it stand out in its lineup. It is also offered with a model-specific radiator-grille and bumper that is available in two colour tones - yellow and grey. The same colour options are available for the mirror caps, scuttle plates, tailgate decors, and alloy wheels. The Cooper SE is one stylish car with several cool details like -

• Massive 17-inch power Spoke wheels (unique to the car)
• Matrix LED headlights
• Union Jack motif in the taillights

Available exterior colour options - White Silver, Chilli Red, and British Racing Green.

2020 Mini Cooper SE: Cabin features

Since the car sits on the same UKL platform utilised by the Mini 3 Door and 5 Door hatchbacks, the cabin space like the dimensions is more or less the same. It features a similar Mini hatch cabin. However, new is the 5.5-inch digital instrument display with the same yellow theme. It displays information like car range, external temperature, and charge percentage. Besides, it also presents the driver with driving direction and allows for phone contact list access.

The list further includes -

• 8.8-inch touchscreen MINI Visual Boost with Mini Connected
• Not red but yellow start-stop ignition toggle
• Velour floor mats
• Electric selector lever with Electric design
• Dual-zone climate control
• 12-colour ambient lighting
• Head-up display
• Wireless charging tray in armrest
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System
• Leather seats with cross punch upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Raised centre console with integrated electric parking
• Anthracite headliner
• Carbon black interior appointments

As mentioned, the Cooper SE and Mini 3 Door have a lot in common. So, like the former, the new EV features 211-litre of boot space that with the seats down can be expanded to 731-litres.

2020 Mini Cooper SE: Safety and security

The car comes equipped with Park Assistant with cruise control with braking function, autonomous emergency braking, approach control warning & personal warning, traffic sign recognition, and front & rear Park Distance Control. It also gets a driving assistant system that provides maximum safety during potential collisions by preconditioning the brakes - shorter distance and faster response time.

Also Read: 2021 Mini Cooper Sidewalk Edition revealed