MINI USA Announces Aggressive Pricing on the Electric MINI Cooper SE
MINI USA has priced the electric MINI Cooper SE aggressively and, as it turns out, almost to the dollar what we had predicted.
The 2020 MINI Cooper SE will start at $29,900. That’s before the $7,500 federal tax incentives and before other state incentives that will likely apply. That means for most, the MINI Cooper SE could cost (after tax deductions) just over $20,000. For a car of the quality, design and performance that the MINI Cooper SE will offer, it’s an eye opening price.
While range has yet to be announced, we expect something close to 120 miles. Perhaps more important than range is how quickly the MINI Cooper SE can charge. The SE can be charged on everything from a normal 120 volt socket to a fast direct-current 50kW charger (the latter allowing an 80 per cent charge to be achieved in just 35 minutes)
The Competition
What about competitors? The Honda E is a particularly interesting one but one that won’t be coming to the US any time soon (and even if it does the MINI beats it on specs). So lets look at a few that are on sale as we speak. The Golf E gets about the same range for $32k. It has two extra doors, a bit more room but doesn’t come as well equipped as the MINI. However because VW reportedly loses money on everyone made, it’s only available it states that mandate some level of electric sales. The Nissan Leaf on the other hand is available everywhere and offers a 150 mile range for $30,885. But it’s questionable design, poor quality and mediocre driving experience have turned us off both times we’ve sampled them.
Then there’s the long-range champion of the segment the Chevy Bolt. The 238 mile range gets top billing as it kills time competition in this category. How can Chevy offer this in a car starting at $36,620? For one it’s a loss leader as GM is rumored to lose $8-9k on each one sold. Then there are the materials and driving experience – both of which leave a lot to be desired.
That leaves us back where we started. The more we look at it, the more the MINI Cooper SE seems to hit a sweet spot for those looking at a commuter electric car. The F56 quality is well known and MINI’s history of great drivers cars could make it totally unique in the category.
No it doesn’t have Tesla like range. But this is a small MINI and it’s natural habitat is urban environments where commutes are short (in miles) and chargers are plentiful.
The new MINI Cooper SE will go on sale early March 2020 at MINI dealers across the U.S.
Official Release: MINI Cooper SE Pricing
MINI USA is pleased to announce the U.S. market pricing on its all-new battery electric MINI Cooper SE. The 2020 MINI Cooper SE will reach US showrooms in early March of 2020 with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $29,900 plus an additional $850 Destination & Handling fee.
“U.S. 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.”, said Michael Peyton, Vice President, MINI of the Americas. “We at MINI are pleased to offer more people the ability to experience a drive charged with passion in the form of the MINI Cooper SE, an EV that is built “for the drive”.”
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 MINI Cooper SE harkens back to the mission of the very first Mini developed by Sir Alec Issigonis in 1959 – to develop a creative solution for a highly efficient car with a small footprint that was fun to drive, and accessible to the masses.
Power and Performance
With a low center of gravity, a powerful electric powertrain, and dynamic handling, the MINI Cooper SE is a true performance car that retains all the fun-to-drive attributes MINI owners have come to know and love. The front wheel drive electric motor generates 181hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque enabling the new MINI Cooper SE to go from 0 – 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 93 mph.
Attainable Electric Mobility
While the MINI Cooper SE has an MSRP of $29,900, federal tax credits and state electric vehicle tax credits make the MINI Cooper SE even more attractive. In some cases, qualified consumers can get a MINI Cooper SE for as low as $17,900, along with additional incentives such as HOV lane access in some states.
“Premium” Well Defined with High Level of Standard Equipment
The MINI Cooper SE comes standard with a base trim level that offers a full complement of premium features and equipment. Beyond the standard equipment, two additional trim levels will be offered giving customers the choice to easily add two bundled packages of premium equipment.
Standard equipment:
1. Navigation system with 6.5” display
2. Apple CarPlay Compatibility
3. Heated Front Seats
4. Comfort Access Keyless entry
5. LED Headlights and Fog lights
6. Active Driving Assistant with Forward Collision Warning
7. Acoustic Pedestrian Warning
8. Rear View Camera
9. Bluetooth with phone and audio streaming
10. AutoRainSensingWipersandHeadlights
11. Automatic Climate Control
12. Heated Mirrors and Washer Jets
13. CruiseControl
14. LeatherMultifunctionSteeringWheel
15. Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster
16. EnergyEfficientHeatPump
17. ACChargingupto7.4kW
18. DCFastChargingupto50kW
19. CarbonBlackLeatheretteUpholstery
20. 16″ Wheels
21. StoragePackage
MINI DNA Carries on in Electric Form
Based on, and dimensionally almost identical to the MINI Hardtop 2 Door launched in 2014, the MINI Cooper SE has been engineered to be electric. Modifications include a height increase of 18 mm (.7 inch) to accommodate floor mounted battery packs and a new, more efficient HVAC heat pump to maximize range during colder weather. Despite these modifications, the MINI Cooper SE has the same distinctive style and identical interior dimensions and cargo space as the internal combustion MINI Hardtop. It also includes a closed, uniquely styled grill for better aerodynamics.
Charging and Regeneration
The MINI Cooper SE comes standard with AC Charging at up to 7.4 kW, which allows for a 100% charge at home in as little as 4 hours, as well as DC Charging at up to 50 kW, which allows for charging at public stations in as little as 35 minutes to achieve an 80% charge, and utilizes the SAE Combo fast charging standard. From the outside you will immediately notice the new EV Specific Filler Flap with LED status indicator for when the vehicle is in charge mode. The MINI Cooper SE also includes a programmable locking feature that can prevent the charge cord from being unplugged when charging and can automatically unlock when fully charged to allow others needing charge access to the charger. The MINI Cooper SE also comes standard with a two-mode regenerative braking system to help maximize the recharging of the battery while also meeting your personal driving style preference.
Inside the Cockpit
The MINI Cooper SE come standard with a new Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster which features a digital speedometer and graphic indications for Charge Level and Power Level, as well as scrollable data including remaining range and charging/charge level during charging. This puts essential EV operations and energy consumption data all in one convenient place.
<p>I like it, I like it! … Could this be the one to get me back into a MINI? Quite possibly.
The charging situation is still an issue here in NYC however. We have a home but no driveway so no way to charge … charging stations are a borough away … infrastructure needs to be addressed a lot better … I mean, if we can’t do it in NYC … who are these “city” cars aimed at?</p>
<blockquote>I mean, if we can’t do it in NYC … who are these “city” cars aimed at?</blockquote>
<p>They’re really ideal for suburbanites with home charging and consistent commute lengths well within the range.</p>
<p>Given the limited range, it’s a price point they needed to hit for any viability here in the US… but I wonder if it means MINI will be losing money on each one sold (like the Bolt and Golf E the article mentions).</p>
<p>I’m kind of surprised so many articles are mentioning the e-Golf in comparison, seeing as it isn’t being made any longer.</p>
<p>That is a great price!</p>
<blockquote><i>Perhaps more important than range is how quickly the MINI Cooper SE can charge.</i></blockquote>
<p>Not more important for sales. Customers care more about range.</p>
<p>No both range and charge speed are crucial</p>
<p>The range is the killer for me, love the car and hope it does well as a city car everywhere in the World . But I need range of 150 miles for my commute from country to the city. My next Mini will be petrol model simply cause the SE is too short on range. But everything I learnt I think is fantastic about the car. It is a shame is just short 20 miles in range.</p>
<p>When I can drive this thing home from the dealership and not have to stop to recharge, then I’ll consider.</p>
<p>Too bad they had to raise the body up so much to fit the batteries. Makes for an awkward looking looking stance. Most people won’t notice or care but I think it looks odd.</p>
<p>It would be interesting to know the Center of Gravity for the gas/diesel Cooper Hardtop vs this one. Sure, it’s lifted some, but the battery brings it back down, I’m sure.</p>
<p>Agreed on the look, though.</p>
Disclosure: I drive a 2018 Countryman JCW now, and will likely go to a Tesla Model 3 in about a year—unless Mini comes out with a performance four foor electric. The two-door is two doors too small for American suburbanites, unless they have no children. For people who can afford better, it’s too slow with limited range. My friend in Chicago has a Bolt (getting a Model 3 next) which is great around the city, but he owns a condo and installed his own charger. Most landlords don’t allow them and many properties don’t have a driveway. Very few chargers around the city. So who will buy this, and where do they live?
<p>Disclosure: I drive a 2018 Countryman JCW now, and will likely go to a Tesla Model 3 in about a year—unless Mini comes out with a performance four foor electric. The two-door is two doors too small for American suburbanites, unless they have no children. For people who can afford better, it’s too slow with limited range. My friend in Chicago has a Bolt (getting a Model 3 next) which is great around the city, but he owns a condo and installed his own charger. Most landlords don’t allow them and many properties don’t have a driveway. Very few chargers around the city. So who will buy this, and where do they live?</p>