Mini have missed a trick, surly they could have matched the petrol S variant if not beaten it on the 0-62 front. Granted I know the Car has a disappointing non-temperature managed battery pack of only 32kWh usable and the i3 drivetrain. They could probably match the petrol works 0-62 but the hit on range might be scary but given the price of level 2 and 3 a performance upgrade would have been nice.
They had the MINI E driving around California a decade ago under a invitation public lease scheme and by the looks of it comparing what was on offer back then they locked the development team in the fridge. MINI/BMW i3/ i8 and other hybrids in the range is commendable and should have provided a base but at 2020 the group looks like a rabbit caught in the headlights of the oncoming EV switch a decade before they thought.
Always nice to see another MINI model but at £30k level 3 SE with its 32kWh pack with 140 miles ( probably 100-120 real world) shows how far behind the group is on everything. Does it has preheating off an app and connectivity that has become the norm. At £30k for the highest trim the SE makes the entry level model 3 look a steal. It’s like comparing a Vulcan Bomber to a B-2 stealth. Although the MINI SE I bet will still feel MINI on the twisting roads and that after all is what most of us want to other brands. My view hasn’t changed that I think they will knock it out the park with the second generation built and designed as a EV from the ground up.
Don’t get me wrong the HF preview was well done and the guy actually had a clue what he was talking about and that was refreshing so hats off for that.
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