All-electric Mini Cooper SE Convertible debuts as first drop-top EV

Mini has revealed a convertible version of its all-electric Cooper SE, bringing together the EV powertrain and convertible body for the first time. Production will be strictly limited to 999 units globally, 150 of those earmarked for the UK, and all in a single high specification costing £52,500. Sales will commence in April this year. 

Its electric powertrain is identical to the hatchback, and made up from a single, front-mounted electric motor drawing power from a 32.6kWh battery pack. Peak power is rated at 181bhp, which is enough to reach 62mph in 7.3sec, 0.2sec behind the hatch. Mini is quoting an estimated WLTP range of 125 miles, down around 20 miles on the hatchback due to its extra weight and increased coefficient of drag. 

While the current electric and traditional combustion-powered Minis might look similar, the integration of batteries into the chassis has required a whole new underbody, which means the transition from IC to EV has required similarly extensive changes to the convertible’s basic structure.

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Visually though, only the most devout of Mini fans will pick up the slightly taller sills and wheel arches that grant the extra space required for its electric powertrain elements. The single high-specification model will only be available in two colour options – black or silver – and come with lots of kit including a nappa leather interior and the trademark oblong wheel design.

Mini’s not far away from launching its next generation, and completely bespoke, electric Mini hatchback due to debut later this year which will join a heavily updated version of the current petrol-powered model alongside it. As well as representing a big step-change in design and manufacturing, the all-electric Mini will also be the first global-market Mini hatchback to be built in China, leaving Mini’s Oxford plant free to focus on the updated combustion-engined model.