Minis new electric Cooper SE tested: Can BMW harness the magic of the 1959 original in an EV that's built in China?

The new Mini is a curious confection.

The car is a British icon with roots back to 1959. 

Now, under German ownership with giant automotive parent company BMW at the strings, the popular hatchback is in its fourth generation and is set to play a major part in the brand's transition to electric power at the end of the decade.

However, the battery-powered Cooper E and SE versions aren't being built in Britain or Germany but in China as part of a deal with Great Wall Motor - though, as exclusively revealed by This is Money last year, Mini production is set to shift back to Mini's spiritual home in Oxford from 2026.

We've had our first opportunity to get behind the wheel of the punchier Cooper SE to find out if BMW has managed to harness the character and fizz of the original.

There is first some explanation on naming required to avoid any further confusion... 

The three-door hatchback Mini is now named the Mini Cooper, after the sportiest of the Minis which in turn took their name from legendary tuning expert John Cooper whose efforts secured many race-wins, notably in the Monte Carlo Rally.

In the UK, the zero-emissions Mini Cooper Electric versions are known as the Mini Cooper E and SE.

The standard 184 horsepower E accelerates from rest to 62mph in 7.3 seconds with a range of 190 miles and costs bang on £30,000.

The more powerful Mini Cooper SE has 218 horsepower that propels it from 0 to 62mph in a swifter 6.7 seconds up to a top speed of 106mph and a longer range put officially at 249 miles – just enough to get Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from London's Downing Street to his Richmond constituency in North Yorkshire. 

The extra grunt comes at a premium, with prices starting from £34,500.

But both electric versions are a significant £7,000 mark-up on the two equivalent petrol options – the £23,135 156hp Mini Cooper C (0 to 62mph in 7.7 seconds and 139mph top speed) and the £27,535 Cooper S (0 to 62mph in 6.6 seconds and 150mph top speed).

2024 Mini Cooper SE: What's new?

Looks wise, the new Mini Cooper hatchback has stripped back the bling and gone for a simpler, more purist design, by ditching chrome, black wheel arch trim, and the like, and having flush-fitting pop out door-handles. 

The new octagonal grille illuminates.

The focal point of interior is the minimalist dashboard and its large 24-inch fully-useable circular touch display instrument screen.

Thankfully, below it are also a row of switches and toggles. 

Both echo the look of design genius Sir Alec Issigonis's original Mini, but bring it bang up to date in the 21st century with digital know-how. 

The adaptable screen houses sat-nav map, speed limit and warning signs, and other key information.

There are three trim levels – Classic, Exclusive and Sport – with a lot of smart recycling contributing to the simple but effective tactile interior.

The car we drove was in an uplifting Sunnyside Yellow – a sharp contrast to the lack of Spanish sun during the test event – with a new Blazing Blue shade also on offer. 

Wheels are 16-inch as standard on base Classic trim, though there are bigger rims up to 19 inches if you choose Sport spec.

Most significantly, there are seven so-called 'experience modes' to choose from which determine how your Mini is set up and drives. 

Three impact directly on the driving dynamics: Core, Green and Go-Kart. Core is the default setting and Green will make you feel good about saving the planet.

But honestly? Just stick it in Go Kart and leave it there – which is exactly what I did and I suspect most of those on the launch. It's the most engaging Mini-like driving option.

The other four modes are more esoteric: Personal, Vivid, Timeless and Balance. Timeless is fun if only because it gives you a brown-tinged retro feel to the central circular dashboard.

What's it like to drive?

In Go-Kart mode it's fun. 

As it's electric, it's super-quick from the off.

The electric soundtrack may be a bit Marmite to some ears, but it made me smile.

Accelerate hard and there's an electronic build up to a crescendo.  Hit the brakes and there's a digital blipping down which sounds eerily like the sound of Pod Racers in the Star Wars series. 

Ok, it's not a petrol Mini sound, but it's not bad.

It's great on the straights and fun on the bends. 

It's a whizzy delight on mountain roads and feels confident and planted. 

The electric powertrain means it may not have the full-bodied character of the original, but it's a pretty good effort.

There's lots of attention to detail. 

The integrated front armrest in the door is a handy place to rest your arm. 

There's nice piping on the sporty seats. 

It's a bit of a squeeze getting into the back, but once settled into the slightly reclining seats it's acceptable. 

You can change the lighting signatures on the headlights and the brake lights – where Union Flag patterned brake-lights remain an option. 

There are camera-based parking aids to help you park while in the car, or remotely via an app. 

You can use your smartphone as a digital key – and share it with others.

Could price be a major problem? 

The main issue likely raised by UK customers is the price - and rightly so. 

Company car drivers are buying electric cars because there's a decent tax incentive to do so. And that is where the growth in EV sales is happening. 

But cash-strapped private buyers have been slow to join the electric revolution – given high prices, lack of price support from government, and a shortage of sufficient public chargers.

As a result, car manufacturers are being forced – under threat of crippling penalties - by government and politicians at home and abroad to produce excellent cars for which there may not be sufficient customers.

There's a gap of around £7,000 between the equivalent new petrol Mini and the electric version.

We weren't offered the chance to drive a petrol version – but I'll bet it's just as much fun. And might it be even more so? So why would you choose electric?

Cars & motoring verdict

The new all-electric Mini Cooper SE is a class act. 

It's stylish, timeless, and relentlessly contemporary. 

It looks and drives the part - even in the rain in Spain.

It has a decent range and does have the genuine go-kart excitement, even if this feels a little more detached than with the petrol Minis of yore. 

I enjoyed it and can see it as a great city car and fun for longer journeys if you plan them well. 

The Germans (and Chinese) have done a great job taking a British Sixties icon into the 21st century.

But it's not cheap. And customers counting their pennies may find the petrol version a better bet.

It would certainly look smart on the street where you live. It's nippy around town, fun in the mountains.

It's had a decent facelift and I've become accustomed to its appearance. 

And, if you're contemplating marriage, it would be just the job to get you to the church on time.

And who knows - with a little bit of luck - prices may yet drop and more public charging points may be provided. Wouldn't it be lovely?