Mini has revealed its first electric convertible, but it’s only a limited edition.
The 2023 Mini Cooper SE Convertible will be available in Europe from April this year and will be limited to 999 units.
Each example of this limited edition convertible will be produced alongside the internal combustion Mini Convertible in the Netherlands.
It’s unclear if Mini plans to offer this electric convertible in any markets other than Europe. We’ve contacted Mini Australia and will update this story as soon as we hear back.
The Mini Cooper SE Convertible is powered by the same front mounted electric motor as a hatchback model that produces 135kW power. This electric powertrain is also available in the defunct BMW i3 hatchback.
Mini claims the electric convertible can do 0-100km/h in 8.2 seconds, almost a second slower than the hatchback version.
The Cooper SE Convertible has a claimed range 201km according to the WLTP test, which is 32km less than the electric hatchback. It also has a claimed energy consumption of 17.2kWh/100km.
The company hasn’t detailed how much the Cooper SE Convertible weighs, but the petrol convertible weighs 1285kg and the electric hatchback is about 135kg heavier than its petrol counterpart at 1365kg.
This means the Mini Cooper SE Convertible can weigh a little more than 1400kg.
It measures in at unchanged 3850mm long, 1727mm wide, and 1427mm high, with a 2495mm wheelbase. The boot space is also unchanged 160 liters.
The Cooper SE Convertible is available in two exterior paint colors – Enigmatic Black and White Silver.
It comes standard with two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels and a fabric soft top with a Union Jack pattern that can be operated electrically at speeds of up to 30km/h.
Inside, the Cooper SE Convertible has four seats with leather upholstery, heated front seats and adjustable thigh supports. There’s also a leather-wrapped Nappa sports steering wheel, piano black highlights and special badges on the door sill trim.
The current Mini Electric hatchback is launching locally in 2020, although a new one is reportedly on the horizon and has been spied on several times.
The new Mini Electric Hatch will co-exist with a reworked version of the petrol Hatch and will be produced in China as part of a partnership with Great Wall Motor.
Regardless, Mini is getting ready to ditch the internal combustion engine entirely.
The last new Mini model with an internal combustion engine will be released in 2025, and Mini says 50 percent of its sales will be fully electric by 2027. By 2030, every Mini will be electric.
Based on previous updates from Mini, its next-generation model lineup will include the following cars:
- Classic 3-Door Hatch, available with petrol and electric power. It is expected to be smaller than the current car.
- The Aceman electric SUV is positioned between the 3-Door Hatch and the Countryman.
- The Countryman SUV, grown up to take on the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA with petrol and electric power.
- Another premium compact car in the yet to be revealed segment, potentially based on the Vision Urbanaut concept.
- New Convertible, due in 2025.
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MORE: All Mini Convertibles