The new Mini Cooper and Countryman debut

01 September 2023

Mini is making a splash again, and no, it's not just about being the cutest car on the block. This time, the BMW-owned company is going electric and tech-heavy, aiming to give the Tesla clan a run for their money - or at least, a nudge.

The all-electric Mini Cooper and Countryman will debut at the IAA (International Motor Show) in Munich, showcasing the brand's continued commitment to electric driving. They're saying "bye-bye" to fossil fuels and "hello" to cleaner, greener commutes.

The all-new Mini Cooper is the 3-door cutie you've come to love, now in its fifth generation and fully electric. The Mini Countryman, on the other hand, has grown in size and is designed for those who dare to venture beyond city limits. Mini figures if you’re going to go electric, you might want to go bigger too.

What sets these new models apart? Well, it's not just their looks, though that's part of it. Mini prides itself on the "go-kart feeling" of its cars. This time around, it's an "electrified go-kart feeling," because nothing screams the future like electrically powered fun, right? Mind you, these are large and fairly hefty go-karts.

Inside the car, say hello to the all-new Mini Operating System 9, which is optimized for touch and voice control. If you’re tired of fumbling with buttons while driving, you can now just say, “Hey Mini” and feel like Iron Man talking to Jarvis. Plus, the OLED round display is both an instrument cluster and an "experience center." Yeah, we don't know what an "experience center" is either, but it sounds like something we may need. And if you prefer physical buttons, the new Mini models have you covered - the toggle switch bar is still present, although slightly revised and updated.

The textile surfaces in the interior are promising a new level of well-being and warmth. Plus, all textiles and yarns in the seats are made from recycled materials, so you can feel good while looking good.

The Mini Cooper E can go from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.3 seconds courtesy of its 184 hp electric motor. Now, that's fast enough to outrun your responsibilities, but not the law. The more powerful 218 hp Cooper SE deals with that sprint in just 6.7 seconds. While the Cooper E comes with a battery good enough for 190 miles, the SE version gets a more sizable pack with {402 km}} of WLTP range.

The Mini Countryman offers a range of 269 miles per full charge in the dual-motor SE ALL4 version. That model should be an absolute hoot to drive, with 313 hp on tap and 364 lb-ft of torque, the sprint to 62 mph takes a rather short 5.6 seconds. If that’s too much for your grocery and school runs, there’s a bit more timid version - powered by a single electric motor with 204 hp, and with a relaxing 0 to 62 mph time of 8.6 seconds - all shopping stays intact in the trunk and there’s no risk of kids depositing their lunch onto the brand new interior. And the range benefits from a less electron-thirsty motor - 287 miles is enough for a decent weekend getaway.

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