This second-iteration of all-electric MINI makes its South East Asian debut right here in Malaysia.
MINI has recently announced the local arrival of the all new all-electric Cooper SE. Launching alongside its petrol-powered sibling, as well as the twin-pairing of EV and ICE Countryman, teased previously at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 two months back, this second-iteration of the zero-emissions British hatchback is to be available over here from RM 193,888, or more likely RM 200,188 with the 5-year ‘Extended Warranty & Service Package’ included.
Bearing the internal codename J01 and incidentally to currently come fully imported from China, this all-electric MINI rides upon an all-new EV platform that was developed as a joint-venture between Great Wall Motor and BMW. A single front-mounted e-motor making 218 PS and 330 Nm of torque provides propulsion in this SE, which is in turn apparently sufficient to see this zero-emissions hatchback go from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, and on to a V-max of 170 km/h.
As for what is providing power to its motor meanwhile, this all-electric MINI’s 54.2 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery will supposedly see it travel up to 402 km on a single charge, based on the WLTP-cycle. The SE currently supports a maximum AC input of 11 kW and a peak DC fast charging power of up to 95 kW, with the latter juicing up its pack 10 to 80% in under 30 minutes.
Now while there may be a debate to be had on whether this new generation of MINI actually looks like one or not, what is more clear cut is for the all-electric version to be most easily differentiated from its new (or more aptly termed heavily-facelifted) petrol-powered sibling by the former having a blanked-off front grille, relative to the wavy-patterned moustache found on the latter. The EV also actually has a more conventional bonnet to its ICE counterpart’s clamshell hood, with the one with the plug being the one to go without black plastic mouldings on its wheel arches as well.
Other exterior highlights worth mentioning here with this MINI includes to net a set of round LED headlights with high-beam assistant up front, for which the automaker touts to ‘come equipped with three distinct, selectable light signatures, each culminating in their own unique welcome/goodbye animation’. Complimenting the flush door handles down the side of the local spec of SE are 18-inch Night Flash spoke 2-tone wheels, while its rump is topped off by a pair of triangular matrix LED tail lights that incorporate the Union Jack into its lighting signature.
Transitioning to what it is like within the MINI, its minimalist interior certainly calls back to the original launched 64 years ago by just having a single circular central 9.4-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen along its fabric-lined curvy dashboard. Local SEs nevertheless also come as standard with a heads up display, that is situated ahead of the three-spoke sport steering wheel in Vescin.
Similarly standard within the SEs in Malaysia meanwhile are a pair of electrically-adjustable sports seats covered in Vescin, the interior and exterior mirror package, the comfort access system, Comfort Package Plus as well as a 10-speaker 600 W Harman Kardon surround sound system. And to further add to the overall interior ambience, there are a set of selectable MINI Experience Modes to choose from, which ‘uses specific light graphics to enhance the immersive driving experience’.
In terms of driving assistance systems, the new Cooper SE comes equipped as standard with the Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant Plus. The Driving Assistant Plus upgrade however — that brings with it offering Active cruise control with Stop&Go, Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Manual and Automatic Speed Limit Assistant — is to be an optional extra.
The Cooper SE lands locally with exterior colour options: Blazing Blue, Nanuq White, Chili Red II, Legend Grey, Sunny Side Yellow, Midnight Black II, British Racing Green and Melting Silver, while its interior hue selection is only limited to Nightshade Blue. Worth highlighting too at the end here is for this all-electric MINI to be covered by an 8-Year / 160,000 km Battery Warranty (whichever comes first), regardless of the vehicle warranty option selected.
