With summer looming and the possibility of at least a few weeks of warm weather (or scorching weather if last summer is anything to go by), MINI has announced that the iconic little car (is it safe to call the hugely successful MINI reboot iconic yet?) will get an all-electric convertible version for 2023. This will be in the form of a limited edition of 999 vehicles, and arrive hot on the heels of the much lauded MINI concept from a few months ago. With one in five sold MINI models now being electric, the MINI Cooper SE Convertible EV is sure to be a very popular model.
With so few models being produced globally, the 181bhp MINI electric convertible will reach our shores in a somewhat rationed fashion with just 150 expected to be made available. The car will essentially be a limited edition of the existing MINI EV minus a roof and with added strengthening around the sills as is par for the course for convertible versions. It will therefore use the same electric motor as the MINI electric.
Paint options will be limited to a rather monochromatic choice of either White Silver or Enigmatic Black, but with touches of warmer colouring with the door handles, front and rear light surrounds and side scuttles being finished in Resolute Bronze. It’s very definitely a classy look, especially with the logos and model lettering being finished in Piano Black. ‘1 of 999’ lettering also emphasises the limited nature of this model.
Each option will get eye-catching recycled aluminium 17-inch alloys and feature a soft-top black/grey Union Jack roof. The Union Jack motif is also featured on the red rear light enclosure. Inside, the steering Nappa leather wheel is heated and contrasts nicely with the refined sports seating and Piano Black interior detailing, all enhanced with ambient lighting. As in the Cooper SE, eDrive is also available which offers up information on current energy consumption, the range, plus it can also can give tips on adopting an economical driving style. The convertible also comes equipped with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and MINI Driving Assistant. Dimensions are basically the same as the standard MINI convertible including the same luggage capacity.
The MINI Cooper SE convertible EV gets the standard 135kW electric motor and has a zero to 62mph time of 8.2 seconds and a has range of just over 124 miles. The roof can also be raised and lowered at speeds up to 18mph. Recharging is expected to be similar to what we already know, which will allow the electric MINI convertible to be charged to within 20 per cent of a full charge in around 35 minutes.
The limited-edition all-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible will arrive in the UK with fixed specification at a price of £52,000 and will be available to order from April 2023. It’s hard to believe that this will be anything but a very popular option and that MINI will not release a standard version sometime in the future.
Electric cars aren’t just a trend; they’re the future of motoring. Explore our electric cars content at smart-motoring.com for articles on everything from zero-emission driving to the latest in electric car tech.
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