Test review DrivOlution MINI Cooper SE

Platform - SPOTLIGTH EV

The new electric Mini Cooper is based on the Spotlight EV platform co-developed by BMW Group and Great Wall Motor. BMW Group and Great Wall Motor are promoting e-mobility by building a joint plant in China, where the BMW Group will produce all-electric MINI brand models in the future.

Battery capacity - choice of 2 versions

Depending on which MINI family member and version you choose, you can opt for the 36.6 kWh (E) or the 49.2 kWh (SE and JCW).

MINI family - make your choice

The new MINI is available in several versions. You can still currently choose from a petrol version or an electric version. The Aceman is only available in the electric version.

• the Cooper - for individualists: available as Cooper E, Cooper SE and John Cooper Works Electric.
  • The Cooper E: features a battery capacity of 36.6 kWh and an output of 135 kW (184 hp). Torque is 290 Nm. Range is between 289-300 km (WLTP)
  • The Cooper SE: has a larger 49.2 kWh battery, 160 kW (218 hp) of power and 330 Nm of torque. The driving range is between 385-400 km (WLTP). This is also our test car.
  • The John Cooper Works (JCW) Electric raises the power output to 190 kW (258 hp). Torque is 350 Nm. A shorter driving range is the result; 364-371 km (WLTP).
• The Aceman - if you are thinking of family expansion
  • electric only. Available as Aceman E, Aceman SE and John Cooper Works versions.
• The Countryman - allrounder
  • available as Countryman E and Countryman SE ALL4 (all-wheel drive)

Want to discover the wide range of MINI models? Visit MINI.be - the official website

Driving Modes - MINI Modes - 3

• Green Mode: or Eco driving mode. In this mode, you go for the extra efficient way of driving so you get further on a full battery. This green-tinted mode with green lighting emphasises the more sustainable side of MINI mobility. Animal animations indicate both by their colour and character which efficiency level (high, medium, low) the driver is currently at. Power pedal response is optimised for efficient driving. Green Mode is the driving mode for tuning with optimised energy consumption and anticipatory display. To this end, interior lighting is also reduced, for example.
• Core Mode: the classic and comfortable driving experience of MINI with a sophisticated, modern feel. In the foreground when Core Mode is selected is the main menu with the MINI widgets. The user interface comes in the MINI Laguna colour scheme, an elegant, puristic and modern-looking choice. The Core driving sound becomes the new electric MINI brand sound and is the only tone that can be heard not only in the interior, but also from outside the car (as acoustic protection for pedestrians). This is an inviting, energetic and energising MINI brand.
• Go-Kart Mode: inspired by the legendary John Cooper Works as MINI's in-house tuner, this mode provides an exhilarating driving experience with a motorsport-like aesthetic that will get your adrenaline pumping. Extremely dynamic and brimming with motorsport DNA, kart mode envelops the display and the entire interior in shades of anthracite and red. The MINI Interaction Unit adopts a sporty speedometer over its entire surface if desired. The Go-Kart driving sound is designed to take the sporty driving experience one level higher.

Recuperation

Recovery is adjustable via the central display. No paddles on the steering wheel. You have a choice of: adaptive/low/medium/high in D mode. You can play a bit with the different levels.

The results - general

After 828 test kilometres aboard the MINI Cooper SE, we arrive at a combined fuel consumption of 13.8 kWh/100 km, spread over 17 recorded journeys. Based on the usable battery capacity of 49.2 kWh, you could theoretically cover a good 357 km* on a charge. The average outside temperature was 9°C.

The results - by road type

• Most of the trips were done on motorways (10 of 17 trips): it gives an average consumption of 14.0 kWh/100 km, good for a driving range of 351 km*.
• Outside the city, on secondary roads, we did 6 trips. This results in a combined consumption of 13.7 kWh/100 km. If you can maintain this consumption, you can cover 359 km*.
• Only once did we venture into city traffic: here we stranded on a consumption of 11.3 kWh/100 km. In terms of driving range, this means 435 km*.
• The lowest realised consumption is 11.3 kWh/100 km and the highest is 15.9 kWh/100 km.

The results - by driving mode

For the most part, we focused on efficient driving during the trips, making Green Mode the predominant driving mode. 

• For 14 of the 17 trips, we chose Green Mode. This resulted in a total consumption of 13.6 kWh/100 km.
• Core Mode (2 out of 17 trips) resulted in a consumption of 15.0 kWh/100 km.
• We only tested the Go-kart mode. Also a short trip. This resulted in a consumption of 13.8 kWh/100 km. 

*The stated driving range is a theoretical calculation based on the usable battery capacity. This is always a snapshot. All kinds of factors such as weather conditions, use of climate control, topography, traffic density and your own driving style can influence this. 

Consumption - general

Always interesting to know what results the MINI Cooper SE puts down on our test track. We do not opt for the Go-kart experience but for the efficient experience. After 104 km, the on-board computer clocked a combined consumption of 12.4 kWh/100 km on the three parts. This corresponds to a driving range of 397 km* if you could keep this consumption constant.

Consumption by road type

• the non-urban portion (secondary roads) of 43.3 km yields a consumption of 11.7 kWh/100 km. This results in a driving range of 421 km*.
• on the highway portion of 40.4 km, we arrive at a consumption of 14.2 kWh/100 km which is good for a driving range of 346 km*.
• the city drive of 20.3 km is good for a consumption of 11.3 kWh/100 km. This gets you 435 km* far on one charge.

Evolution of the driving range

We start with a driving range of 267 km and an SoC of 77%. 

• After the non-urban drive, the driving range drops to 237 km (-30 km) and the SoC is 66% (-11%).
• The highway drive drops the driving range further to 203 km (-30 km). The SoC is 55% (-11%).
• After the city drive, we are left with 191 km of driving range (-12 km) with an SoC of 50% (-5%).

The total trip of 104 km ended up costing 76 km of driving range. The SoC decreased by 27%. 

*The stated driving range is a theoretical calculation based on the usable battery capacity. This is always a snapshot. All kinds of factors such as weather conditions, use of climate control, topography, traffic density and your own driving style can influence this. 
We strive to drive as efficiently as possible by making maximum use of cruise control (constant speed) and by anticipating traffic situations as much as possible. The speed on motorways is 110 km/h. Energy consumers (such as air conditioning) are turned off when weather conditions permit. In addition, we choose the most efficient driving mode (Eco), if available.

Internal on-board charger

The MINI Cooper SE features an 11 kW internal on-board charger. The DC charging capacity is up to 95 kW.

Charging sessions

We charged the MINI Cooper SE a total of 4 times.

• Charging sessions AC: 3
• Charging sessions DC: 1

Information charging process - for the driver

As a driver, you are sufficiently informed about the evolution of the charging process. You can read the following information on the screen:

• Estimated charging time (hh:mm)
• Rated charging power (kW)
• Estimated driving range (km)
• SoC (%) current
• SoC (%) charge percentage set
• Ampere

Pre-conditioning - yes

Cosy to leave with a warmed-up interior. Moreover, this has a positive effect on consumption and driving range.

Charge percentage adjustable - yes

You can set the charging percentage (SoC) via the on-board computer or via the app. MINI recommends charging up to 80% (AC).

Range horizon

The range horizon indicates the extent to which you can influence the range by your current driving style. This supports an efficient driving style. What is displayed: the current range, the range radius trend, the possible range at very low energy consumption and the possible range at very high energy consumption. Useful. 

Still worth mentioning. The MINI App is a valuable tool for checking the status of the vehicle. Even during the charging process, the app keeps you perfectly informed about the status of charging. 

Trims - 4

You can choose from four trims: Essential - Classic - Favoured - John Cooper Works.

New MINI Experience Modes - a whole new MINI experience

The MINI Experience Modes do not affect the driving characteristics, but adjust e.g. the ambient lighting effects in the vehicle interior according to your mood. You can choose between

• Balance Mode: the mode for relaxed driving in a pleasant ambience.
• Personal Mode: the mode that offers special individualisation options. For example, you can select a personalised background image for the Interaction Unit.
• Timeless Mode: the mode for driving in MINI Retro Design.
• Vivid Mode: the mode for a vivid audio experience and impressive interior light play.

Interior

The interior reflects the minimalist design of the first MINI. Fully digitised, of course.

"Hey MINI!": the first intelligent personal assistant from MINI

From now on, you have a complete voice assistant in the MINI. You can activate the MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant with the greeting "Hey MINI" or by pressing the talk button on the steering wheel. Voice-activated interaction with the round OLED display takes the form of an animation with graphics, typography and an avatar. As for the display, you can choose between 'MINI' - a stylised representation of a MINI - and the new MINI digital assistant 'Spike'. The MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant controls essential functions of your MINI, such as the navigation system, telephony or radio, and even regulates the temperature. Maybe there is something you want to know during your trip. The weather. Or do you have a specific request. Even if you just want to chat, or hear a joke.

Head-Up Display (HUD) - remains indispensable

In my view, the HUD remains an unmissable item when it comes to safety. You have the necessary information right in front of you. What is displayed? Speed, navigation directions, Check-Control messages, lists and notifications and driving assistance systems.

Space - not for big people

The MINI Cooper SE is aimed more at individualists. With people it is fine. With 4, it already gets a bit cramped in the back, especially if you have to get in. Luggage space is limited.

Driving assistance systems

With 12 ultrasonic sensors and four surround cameras, the MINI Parking Assistant Plus simplifies parking and can more clearly identify possible parking spots. Explore Mode also offers a unique solution for the vehicle segment. It allows the new MINI Cooper SE to be easily operated from outside and parked using a smartphone if the side space is too small to drive into. Once parked, the Remote 360 option allows viewing the area around the parked car via the MINI App, increasing safety.

• Assisted Driving Mode : Assisted Driving Mode extends distance control with a steering assistant with lane assistance. The system supports the driver to keep the car within the lane. To do this, the system steers independently if necessary, for example when driving around bends.
• Speed Limit Assist
• Front Collision Warning with braking function
• Exit warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane change warning
• Rear Collision Prevention
• Evasive action
• ...

Based on trip consumption and usable battery capacity, we can simulate the (theoretical) driving range. Although this is always a snapshot, it gives a clear picture of how far you could theoretically drive at a given consumption. Of course, various factors can influence these results.

If we compare the consumption results obtained with the manufacturer's WLTP figures, we come pretty close to the WLTP figures, taking into account the test period. An efficient driving style pays off. 

It is important to point out that the figures obtained are always a snapshot in time. Numerous factors can influence these results.