The Mini Cooper SE continues to be an affordable entry into all-electric motors that no one really talks about. I drove one a little over a year ago, and everything is fine – absolutely fine. But Mini is hoping to spark conversation with a convertible version, called the Cooper SE Convertible. Single catch? Mini will not produce more than 999 units and all of them are destined for Europe.
The Cooper SE Convertible dates back to last summer, when Mini was about to launch a version the company didn’t plan to bring to market at the time. Eight months later, the limited-run model will roll out of the company’s factory in the Netherlands. It operates with the same 184 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque as the hardtop version, with the same 32.6 kWh battery pack. It’s also only black or white, which doesn’t make me scream “Mini,” but I digress.
While the exercise is puzzling, there’s a reason why the Mini is only targeting Europe for this car. According to Mini, one out of every five cars it sells on the continent is an all-electric Cooper SE. For short hops around European cities, the SE’s estimated 110-mile battery range seems to be more than enough. Here in the United States, it is Potential causes for range anxiety.
Of course, 110 miles is probably enough for many Americans — even if they don’t admit it — and that small battery offers many benefits. It keeps the car bright (for EVs), allowing it to retain the brand’s signature agile handling. In theory, the extra weight of the power-assisted softtop could hinder that a bit, but I’m willing to bet the weight penalty will be offset by the fact that there’s no barrier between you and the open skies. open.
Speaking of which, Mini claims it is “the world’s first convertible with an all-electric drivetrain.” That’s mostly true, but only if you remove the original Tesla Roadster and Smart ForTwo Electric Drive Cabrio as targas. Personally, I don’t, and I refuse to advocate difference. But for the first time or not, the mere existence of the SE Convertible forces you to take a step back and wonder why nobody else produces electric convertibles these days. Someone should really get on with that. After all, the Mini doesn’t build enough of these to go around.
