Upgrades and updates inside and out make the new battery-powered Mini a very appealing proposition. John Challen takes a closer look.

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Now into its fifth generation, the ‘new’ Mini has come a long way under BMW stewardship since the first model emerged in 2001. Because of its strong British links, the supermini was always going to be an appealing and popular choice for drivers and that trend has continued with the MY2024 version.

From the outside, evolution has very much been at the heart of the design thinking. With the latest model, there is a reduction in fuss, with flush door handles, less chrome and an ‘all-in-one’ headlight package. What remains are the car’s short overhangs, long wheelbase and driving pleasure with a more dynamic ride and handling setup.

Inside, Mini has moved the infotainment game on massively and embraced the digital era. The large circular display – synonymous with Mini – remains, along with the typically minimalist dashboard layout. But the new central display is the world’s first OLED display and runs Mini’s Operating System 9, enabling all functions to be operated either via touch or voice – and bringing the EV Mini into line with other new BMW products. For those who like the more traditional approach to driving (raises hand), there’s a new toggle bar below the dashboard. This bar features the most popular driving functions – parking brake, gear selector, start/stop volume and experience mode.

The Experience modes are another form of personalisation for Mini – something it has gone big on over the years. Drivers getting a choice of seven different displays: Core; Green; Go-Kart; Personal; Vivid; Timeless and Balance. Each mode offers a different background and ambient lighting scheme when selected. Furthermore, each ‘experience’ is enhanced by ‘new acoustic worlds’ or sounds, as we call them. There are jingles for each of the modes as well as 30 new sound signals for information and warning functions.

Safety-wise, the Mini Cooper is, as you would expect, well stocked with driver assistance systems. There’s automatic parking but, with the new car, manoeuvres can be completed via smartphone. Phones can also be used as the car’s key to unlock, lock and start it up. Another app-based innovation is the new camera technology, which provides not only a view of the surroundings of the car, but also the interior, via a camera installed on the inside.

There are two different models of Mini Cooper Electric – the E and SE – based on power output. The former boasts a high-voltage 40.7kWh battery, which provides up to 190 miles of electric range (WLTP). The car’s 184hp (135kW) electric motor generates 290Nm, helping it to reach 62mph from a standstill in 7.3 seconds. Moving up to the Cooper SE – which carries a £4,500 price premium – and drivers will get more power (218hp/168kW), driving range (250 miles (WLTP)) and torque (330Nm). Performance-wise, the car shifts to 62mph from zero in 6.7 seconds.

Which model is right for you?

Both the Cooper E and SE offer three different trim levels: Classic, Exclusive and Sport. Externally, the Classic offers what Mini describes as a ‘reduced overall appearance’ and a choice of four different paint colours. Inside, all models get a new three-spoke steering wheel as well as environmentally-friendly and recycled materials. The Classic offers black synthetic leather sports seats and a two-tone black knitted material on the dashboard and door handles.

Moving up to Exclusive brings the option of a bespoke roof colour and an upgraded front grille. The interior features a two-tone houndstooth pattern on the knitted-textile instrument panel, which is available in two colours. There are also Vescin sports seats and the optional Spray-Tech roof, which features a blending of three different colours.

Topping off the range, the Sport adds in high-gloss black to the outside of the car, as well as optional bonnet stripes. The performance-inspired interior features red stitching on black synthetic leather inside, again using sustainable materials.