The 2023 Mini Cooper Electric Is The Ultimate Affordable EV

For the 2023 model year, the all-electric Mini Cooper receives a special edition. Major aesthetic and interior modifications, including new taillights and a rimless center screen, have been seen in images of the impending revised electric Mini Cooper. The Resolute Edition aesthetic kit includes Rebel Green paint with a white roof and mirror caps. It also has bronze hood stripes and accents on the grille surround and other exterior trim pieces.

The images were taken at a Chinese facility and circulated on Chinese social media. In the photos, the unmasked Mini is accompanied by several other camouflaged models parked nearby. It has no visible tailpipe and only a small amount of front-end air intake, implying that it is an electric model. The Resolute Edition rides on 17-inch wheels. Sport seats with yellow-and-cream tweed upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are found up front.

The pictured model bears Mini's "S" badge, indicating that it is a higher-performance model. The other camouflaged Minis in the area all have the standard hood scoop found on Mini's S models, but the uncamouflaged version does not. These scoops are used for air intake, but because electric cars require less air intake than ICE cars, the scoop is somewhat unnecessary for an EV. The current Mini Cooper SE electric does, however, have a hood scoop.

The 2023 Mini Cooper Electric's Exterior And Interior Aesthetics Will Leave Stunned

The most noticeable exterior change is the rear taillights, which have a different shape and pattern than previous models. They're also linked by a horizontal black stripe that runs across the entire back of the vehicle. In the taillights of current Mini models, patterns resembling the Union Jack, the British flag, are imprinted. A similar pattern appears to be present in the photos, but it is obscured by vertical black lines and the triangular shape of the taillights.

The dashboard is a significant departure from current Minis on the inside. Minis have traditionally had a circular center display, which began as analog and has evolved into a more digital display over time. Current Minis have a driver display through the steering wheel, as well as a large center screen display embedded in the dash, surrounded by buttons and switches and surrounded by LED accents:

This new Mini appears to toss nearly all of that out the window and start from scratch. It has a flat, bare dash, no driver display, and a floating circular center screen that serves as the primary focus of the car's infotainment system. The dashboard has fewer buttons, knobs, and switches than current models, though there are physical controls on the steering wheel and a few (stereotypically-Mini) switches beneath the screen. Because there are no physical controls, it is likely that the circular screen will be a touchscreen.

The interior of the Electric includes a 5.5-inch digital gauge cluster that displays the battery's charge level, driving range, navigation information, and other infotainment functions. Every Mini Electric comes standard with dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and a unique heat-pump design that uses 75% less energy than a traditional electric heater to warm the passenger cabin. The addition of ambient interior lighting in six different colors adds a funky dimension to the cabin. The back seat, like that of the gas-powered Mini Cooper, is cramped, and cargo space is similarly limited.

The standard central touchscreen measures 8.8 inches and includes Apple CarPlay, built-in navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A smartphone app allows Mini Electric owners to preheat or pre-cool the interior of their vehicle before boarding. Wireless charging and a Harman/Kardon audio system are also options for the Mini.

2023 Mini Cooper Electric: An EV With A Breathtaking Performance

The front-wheel-drive Electric has a motor that produces 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, and it's powered by a 28.9-kWh battery. When we tested a prototype Mini Electric, we were impressed by its quick acceleration. Our most recent drive confirmed our initial impressions, but it also introduced us to an overzealous traction control system that prevented us from chirping the front tires, thereby dampening some fun.

Nonetheless, the Mini's signature go-kart handling impressed us. It also reached 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, making it faster than other small EVs like the Chevy Bolt EV (6.7 clicks). The model has two regenerative-braking modes: one that allows the car to coast like a non-EV when you lift your foot off the accelerator, and another that is more aggressive and almost eliminates the need to touch the brake pedal.

The Mini Electric has a driving range of 110 miles on a full charge, which is significantly less than that of competitors such as the Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. According to Mini, the car's battery can be charged to 80 percent in 35 minutes. You can completely restore the battery in four hours if you use home AC charging at 7.4 kilowatts. The two-mode regenerative braking system on the small hatchback also helps to maximize battery charge.

The Mini Electric will have a combined MPG rating of 108. In comparison, the Bolt EV gets 118-mpg combined, while the Leaf gets up to 111-mpg combined. We won't be able to confirm the Mini's government estimate until we test its real-world range on our 75-mph highway route as part of our extensive testing regimen. Visit the EPA's website for more information on the Mini Electric's fuel economy.

The 2023 Mini Cooper Electric Wouldn't Burn A Hole In Your Pocket

The Mini Cooper Electric 2023 is a go-kart-style EV worth considering. Why? It's one of the most affordable electric cars on the market, with a starting price of just $33,900. According to Car & Driver, the signature price is $30,000 (before any incentives), the signature plus price is $34,750, and the iconic price is $37,750.

Sources: MotorTrend, CarAndDriver, ElecTrek