The MINI Electric makes no sense at all, yet it makes so much sense. Allow me an explanation. Or two.
It was exactly this conflicting line that was in my thoughts when I returned the MINI Electric Resolute Edition, and here’s some background and context. Every car is made for someone, even if it’s not me, and it’s essential to consider it from the POV of the target market – basically put yourself in their shoes. Those were the words drilled into this rookie by the first editor many years ago, and it’s been my approach to car reviews ever since.
A car is a tool first, a pleasure second. It’s something that helps you with minimal fuss, and the MINI Electric struggles to perform this essential task. This claim has nothing to do with its performance, which is good – more on that later – but with the fact that it’s an electric vehicle with a WLTP range of 232 km. That’s less than 200km/charge in the real world.
The MINI is a small car designed to run on an internal combustion engine, so they went all out by tucking a 32.6kWh lithium-ion battery (28.9kWh usable) into the floorboard to make it an electric vehicle. Small car, small battery, short range – this is the MINI Electric.
In fact, this car has the shortest range of any EV officially sold in Malaysia – even China’s Neta V, the cheapest battery car on the market at RM100k, has a range of 380km (NEDC) from a 38.54kW battery. Only a few gray importers of this Honda have such a range (220 km). They both happen to be cute compact city cars.
This is how I spent my weekend with the electric MINI in condensed form.
Photographer Pat took me through the MINI on a Friday night with 70% charge, which the on-board computer estimated was good for 110km. Half a day of running around with my weekend things, and on Saturday night I had to spend 19% on the meter, 31 km to go.
I live in a flat and have to rely on a government award which – if you live in the Klang Valley – is not as ineligible as many naysayers claim. I ‘fuelled’ at Gentari in Sunway X Park in Petaling Jaya with a 180kW DC fast charger. The MINI and I were the only things we moved there and it cost RM30.39 to top up at 82%. With Setel, drivers who switch to electric don’t even need to download new/different apps – just “Setel it” like at a Petronas station.
Now with 82% charge it was safe to roam again giant 165 km range. From there I went to Bukit Jalil for the Honda Gen H race and on Sunday I traveled to Rawang to visit my friends.
The MINI Electric to Rawang (a 70km round trip from my KL base) is like a fish out of water considering the car’s limited range and lack of public chargers in that city. It might be “only Rawang” but away from the safe confines of the Klang Valley, I felt vulnerable – it was a measured journey where every 1% counted.
Monday came and it was time for the MINI to go home. The thing is, BMW’s headquarters is the farthest of the car brands, all the way in Cyberjaya. I started the car and saw 31% and 52 km on the dashboard. In short, yes, but my frugal ways seem to be paying off now as I avoid charging twice in one weekend!
I reached Cyberjaya and returned the keys with 17% and 30km range. The feeling was a mixture of relief and accomplishment; the latter is compounded by my average electric consumption of 11.9 kWh/100 km, which according to my Hafriz Shah EV sif is very good. I rode a total of 160.8 km over the weekend.
It is very likely that 150 kilometers of this were done in green mode to consume less charge, and the rest in medium mode. At the bottom end of the scale are Green+ and Sport, which I haven’t used outside of testing – Green has a muted response, but it’s fine for my normal driving. The midrange is quite quick, with a huge, quiet wave of torque characteristic of electric vehicles; the feeling of speed is enhanced by the MINI’s small size.
Although I patted myself on the back for completing a difficult mission (by test car standards), I got the feeling that this is not how a MINI should be driven. The Sport mode emblem is a go-kart, and that cheeky badging says it all – the MINI is a fun little thing, and for Christ’s sake it should be driven carefree, not with electric hypermilling in green.
So the MINI Electric and its range of less than 200 km is impractical and almost unsuitable for daily use. You might think of it as a toy car slot filler in your garage, but there are sexier options. Electric vehicles are usually measured by range, and every other competitor on the market today beats that class. Hard to recommend.
This should have been the review, but remember the part where I stepped into the shoes of a prospective customer?
It shouldn’t have been like this, in fact, it wouldn’t be like this at all if I had home charging. The MINI’s below-average range still limits how far I could go, but with 200km a day in the bag, this cutie would be the perfect city car.
Perfect? Yes. Electric vehicles these days come in all shapes and sizes, with a range that makes them perfect for everyday commuting. However, I personally think that the characteristics of electric vehicles are best suited for city cars. The instant torque is great for point/shot cut/thrust driving and with zero tailpipe emissions it doesn’t add to air pollution, which is worst in city centres. Short range from a small battery? 150 km is enough for most daily commutes.
And what best embodies the point-and-shoot compact city car? Fiat 500 and MINI come to mind. Small, easy to drive and park, fun and nimble – the latter now made even stronger by the electric response. It’s familiar size and fun with a newfound instant response.
MINI has never been a laggard, but even the high-performance ICE versions are no match for the Electric in terms of directness and impact of torque delivery.
This heavy hand fits the MINI’s naturally hyperactive character like a glove. In its manners, today’s MINI may be closer to luxury than the original Y2K-squeamish BMW, but by today’s standards the third-generation hatch is a spirited brat – thick rims, quick steering, quick reflexes, sharp turn-in, negligible roll, tenacious grip, once you’re around the corner – it’s all still there.
Along with the ride, which is on the firm side. It’s not bad in this case, it’s just part of the car’s unique character and still works very well for everyday use without being annoying. Speaking of everyday, if you haven’t sat in a MINI for a while, the refinement is decent these days, and we’re not even talking about the electric “quietness”. The essence of the MINI – fun – is undoubtedly not harmed at all by the switch from ICE to e-motor; on the contrary, MINI + EV is a good recipe.
If sold, the returning Resolute Edition adds to its allure. All exterior gloss trim has been replaced with matte bronze trim or gloss black on the emblems, and this gorgeous Rebel Green paint option (also available in black and white) with bronze stripe decals on the hood. However, the best part of this SE for me is the tablecloth patterned cloth seats – so cozy!
This brings me to the conclusion that the RM211k MINI Electric makes no sense at all, yet it makes so much sense. It all depends on whether home charging is available – which negates the short range – and whether you like the MINI in the first place.
Nobody buys a MINI because it makes sense, they buy it because they like the way it looks and find it fun. It’s not for most people, and in that sense nothing has changed in the transition to electric. Whatever you think of the MINI Electric, one of my two opinions agrees with you!
GALLERY: MINI Electric Resolute Edition in Rebel Green
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