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https://scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3036408/bmws-all-electric-2020-mini-cooper-makes-city-driving-fun
Style/ Luxury

BMW’s all-electric 2020 Mini Cooper makes city driving fun – and you can charge it while you get a manicure

Mini is targeting urban performance with its new battery-powered Cooper, which has a range of between 146 and 168 miles and can charge up to 80 per cent in 35 minutes with 50-kilowatt DC charging

The new 2020 Mini Cooper SE is an all-electric version of the iconic Mini, which comes with a starting price of US$29,900, and will be ready for delivery from March next year.

Mini has announced the 2020 Mini Cooper SE, an all-electric version of its iconic vehicle.

The electrified car has a starting price of US$29,900, plus a destination fee of US$850. However, some qualified buyers in the US will be able to purchase the car for as low as US$17,900 dependent on federal tax credits and state electric vehicle tax credits.

“US pricing of the new Mini Cooper SE was set to establish this new battery-electric as a true class leader in making premium electric mobility more accessible to a broader range of customers,” vice-president of Mini of the Americas Michael Peyton said in a prepared statement.

The car is aligned with the mission set by Sir Alec Issigonis, the creator of the first Mini, who wanted an accessible, environmentally friendly, efficient car that was “fun to drive”, the carmaker claims.

Keep scrolling to see the new electric Mini Cooper.

“The Cooper SE makes electric mobility more ‘Mini’ by maintaining authentic attributes of design, handling and fun that are found in every Mini model,” the carmaker said in a prepared statement.

The new electric Mini Cooper SE
The new electric Mini Cooper SE

Designed for city driving, the car has a horsepower rating of 181 and a zero-to-60mph (96.5kph) time of 6.9 seconds.

It will see between 146 and 168 miles (235–270km) of range, which is lower than some electric cars on the market but serves the customer who is looking for a car to commute to work.

The electric Mini Cooper SE targets commuters, and has a range of between 146 and 168 miles.
The electric Mini Cooper SE targets commuters, and has a range of between 146 and 168 miles.

It can also hit top speeds of 93mph (150km/h).

The Mini comes with keyless entry, active driver assistant with forward collision warning and an energy-efficient heat pump to warm the battery.

The Mini Cooper SE has been raised 0.7 inches, compared to the gas-powered Mini Hardtop, to accommodate floor-mounted battery packs.
The Mini Cooper SE has been raised 0.7 inches, compared to the gas-powered Mini Hardtop, to accommodate floor-mounted battery packs.

Because it’s noiseless, the carmaker fitted the car with acoustic pedestrian protection that is played through a speaker system.

It is almost identical to the gas-powered Mini Hardtop two-door, which was last redesigned in 2014.

The difference is the SE has been raised 0.7 inches (1.8cm) to accommodate floor-mounted battery packs and an HVAC heat pump to maintain its range in colder weather.

“Urban mobility is certainly the greatest strength of the Mini Cooper SE,” project manager Elena Eder said in a prepared statement.

Inside the Mini Cooper SE
Inside the Mini Cooper SE

The car has a low centre of gravity to accommodate the battery, giving it agility and a more “dynamic performance”, according to the carmaker.

It comes with AC charging up to 7.4-kilowatts. This allows for a 100 per cent charge within four hours.

The car can charge up to 80 per cent in 35 minutes with 50-kilowatt DC charging.

“A lunch break is all it takes to recharge,” Eder continued.

There is an LED status indicator when the car is charging.

A programmable locking feature prevents the charging cord from being unplugged when it’s in use.

The Mini Cooper SE has a low centre of gravity to accommodate the battery.
The Mini Cooper SE has a low centre of gravity to accommodate the battery.

It also automatically unlocks the charging cable when it’s fully charged.

The Mini Cooper SE
The Mini Cooper SE

There is a two-mode regenerative braking system that maximises battery life.

The car can be decelerated at low speeds without using the brakes, allowing it to be driven with a single pedal.

Outwardly the Mini Cooper SE is almost identical to the gas-powered Mini Hardtop two-door.
Outwardly the Mini Cooper SE is almost identical to the gas-powered Mini Hardtop two-door.

There is a dynamic digital instrument cluster that has a digital speedometer and graphics that show the charge and power levels.

The dynamic digital instrument cluster in the Mini Cooper SE
The dynamic digital instrument cluster in the Mini Cooper SE

The cluster also has scrollable data that displays the remaining range and charge levels.

Data available inside the new Mini includes range and charge levels.
Data available inside the new Mini includes range and charge levels.

There is 211 litres of luggage volume under the tailgate. This can be expanded to 731 litres when the rear back seats are folded down.

The Mini Cooper SE
The Mini Cooper SE

The car has subtle yellow accents and a shrouded hexagonal radiator grille.

Yellow accents on the Mini Cooper SE (left)
Yellow accents on the Mini Cooper SE (left)

The car will hit showrooms in March 2020.

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This article originally appeared on Business Insider .