Electrifying Performance
The new all-electric MINI Cooper still has the famous silhouette, but it has a fresh face that is ultra-modern, ensuring the ultimate driving pleasure, writes Paul Agnew. Photography: Peter Austin
Here’s one: name your top three best-known car brands? Hang on, let’s simplify matters, just give me the other two – aside from MINI.
That’s right, MINI is a gimme when it comes to listing the most popular cars of all time. It is, in short, a global motoring icon.
Dating back to the days when most of us were a significant distance away from a driving licence, the MINI is the instantly recognisable small(ish) car with the giant reputation.
A car which has consistently left the rest green with envy. Talking of green, perhaps this is an opportune moment to welcome the new, all-electric MINI Cooper.
When I say ‘new’, I refer to a futuristic car perfect for the electric era, but one that is essentially and immediately identifiable.
Still with the famous silhouette and go-kart feel (the drive, particularly the cornering, is something to behold) but maybe a touch more refined and certainly jazzed up.
This is the fifth generation, ultra-modern and super simplistic, embodying maximum driving pleasure and minimum footprint and there is more innovative technology on board than ever before.
Available in two performance options, the E variant offers 184hp and up to 190 miles of electric driving, where the increased performance of the SE offers an electrifying 218hp and up to 250 miles of range.
On the subject of range, you’ll be happy to hear that the charging time from 10 per cent to 80 per cent is just half-an-hour.
From any angle it’s a MINI, but one with a fresh face and an emphasis on sustainability. The chrome has gone, replaced by secondary aluminium, to give the vehicle an even more vibrant silver exterior.
There are three trim levels – Classic, Exclusive and Sport – all combining emission-free mobility with an electric driving performance.
The Classic is a nod to the past and classic for a reason. Particularly eye-catching in Sunnyside Yellow paintwork (optional) you get 16” alloy wheels (17” optional) and superb upholstery in a perforated houndstooth pattern.
The Exclusive features even more premium features, with modern and sophisticated detail. Paint choices include Blazing Blue and British Racing Green IV (17/18” alloy wheels) and a striking silver grille surround. Inside, expect sport seats in either blue or beige and a recycled fabric knitted dashboard to match.
The Sport gives all of the above and more – a gutsy performer just itching to go with a design to emphasise its sportiness. You can combine black high-gloss features with Legend Grey paintwork, a Chili Red contrast roof and JCW 18” alloy wheels. Race-inspired sport seats are upholstered in knitted JCW black material with red contrast accents and stitching.
You can’t go wrong, so let’s take a closer look at connectivity and technology.
Combining the world-first 240mm circular OLED touch and voice operated display screen (surely one of the most impressive features of any car anywhere) with the latest and most advanced MINI Operating System 9, you are presented with just about everything you could possibly need in terms of intuitive operation and personalisation options.
The optional MINI Connected Package allows access to an ever-growing range of practical features and entertaining apps, including gaming, music and video streaming.
Want to know the traffic or weather conditions? Want to find charging stations along your route? Or, maybe you just fancy a chit-chat? The MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant is Android and Apple compatible and able to assist via a push-to-talk button on the steering wheel, or by saying the greeting: “Hey MINI”.
Spice up your acoustics with the optional Harman Kardon surround sound system with 10 loudspeakers and, of course, tap into music streaming apps like Spotify and Amazon Music.
Peace can be important too and this little gem is nothing if not quiet. It’s also equipped with a raft of assistance systems to provide true peace of mind on the road.
Parking Assistant helps you manoeuvre smoothly into spaces, alongside the Rear View Camera, which is activated with the reverse gear. With Driving Assistant, additional functions include Dynamic Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection to name just two.
Less is more with MINI, but the new MINI-malist design provides all the essentials, characterised by that wonderful OLED display and patterned, recycled textiles.
The MINI Cooper may have origins in the distant past, but it is more than capable of satisfying all of today’s motoring needs.
Bowker Blackburn MINI
Trident Way
Blackburn BB1 3NU
01254 274333
bowkerblackburnmini.co.uk
