Launched: 2024 MINI Cooper SE – 218 HP, 402 KM Range, From RM193,888

MINI Malaysia (BMW Group Malaysia) officially debuted the new fourth-gen (J01) MINI Cooper SE earlier today. This is the all-electric (EV) twin of the ICE-powered Cooper S model launched earlier this year.

Ahead of ‘The New MINI Family’ event slated for tomorrow at JioSpace, PJ, MINI Malaysia (BMW Group Malaysia) introduced the new 2024 MINI Cooper SE to local press earlier today. 

This is the all-electric (EV) variant of the new fourth generation (chassis code: J01) MINI Cooper S the firm launched earlier this year at the Malaysia Auto Show 2024. Said new addition headlines the tomorrow’ event mentioned.

Showcased alongside the new MINI Cooper SE is its combustion (ICE)-powered twin noted earlier, as well as the new third-gen MINI Countryman SE ALL4 and MINI JCW Countryman ALL4 crossovers that also debuted locally earlier this year at the Malaysia Auto Show 2024.

Under the hood, the 2024 MINI Cooper SE sees its e-motor output 218 HP and 330 NM, allowing it to despatch 0-100 KM/H sprints in just 6.7 secs - just 0.1 sec slower than its ICE-powered twin.

Unlike the Cooper S that it shares the same base with, the new Cooper SE 3-door hatch packs a peppier front-mounted e-motor rated at 218 HP and 330 NM. In contrast, the ICE-powered Cooper S makes just 208 HP and 300 NM from its 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol heart.

And despite its slightly heavier claimed 1,605 KG kerb weight, the Cooper SE also boasts a nearly identical century sprint time of 6.7 secs as its ICE-powered twin, which does the same in 6.6 secs. The Cooper SE however makes do with a lower electronically capped V-max of 170 KM/H.

Present underneath too is a 54.2 kWh (gross) battery pack that offers up to 02 KM of WLTP-rated range. Besides 11 kW AC, said battery also accepts 95 kW DC charging input, which grants 10-80% re-charges in 29 minutes.

Juicing the Cooper SE’s e-motor is a 54.2 kWh (gross) battery pack, and it sees a full charge delivering between 387 KM and 402 KM of WLTP-rated range. Evidently, both performance and range have been drastically improved over its previous-gen predecessor.

As for charging, the Cooper SE accepts 11 kW AC charging input that grants a full charge in 5 hours 15 mins. It also accepts 95 kW DC charging input, and this grants 10% to 80% re-charges in just 29 minutes according to MINI.

The Cooper SE's exterior styling (blue) largely mirrors its ICE-powered Cooper S twin (green).

Key giveaways of the Cooper SE over its ICE-powered twin in the exterior include yellow-hued 'S' badges in the front grille and tailgate, variant-specific 18-inch Night Flash alloy wheels, and the absence of a tailpipe.

The exterior styling of the Cooper SE largely mirrors its ICE-powered Cooper S twin. The only giveaway here are the absence of a tailpipe, EV-specific yellow-hued ‘S’ badges in both the front grille and tailgate, as well as the variant-specific 18-inch Night Flash two-tone wheels it dons.

As for exterior paintwork, a total of eight hues are available - Blazing Blue, Nanuq White, Chili Red II, Legend Grey, Sunny Side Yellow, Midnight Black II, British Racing Green and Melting Silver. All are matched with a sole Nightshade Blue interior colour scheme.

On board, the Cooper SE's cabin also largely mirrors its ICE-powered twin. It sports Vescin electric sports seats, MINI's novel new 240 MM OLED touchscreen display, anthracite headliner, as well as a premium Harman Kardon audio suite.

On board, the MINI Cooper SE continues to feature MINI’s novel new large 240 MM round OLED touchscreen display mounted front and centre of the dash, premium Harman Kardon audio suite, Vescin electric sports seats, anthracite headliner, and ambient lighting.

As for tech and convenience, the MINI Cooper SE comes laden with the MINI Connected Package, MINI Maps Package, MINI Navigation AR (augmented reality) with 3S Visualisation displays, MINI Digital Key Plus, MINI App connectivity, a heads-up display (HUD), and Comfort Package Plus.

Like its ICE-powered twin, the 2024 MINI Cooper SE is also laden with plenty of tech and a high-degree of semi-autonomous driving assistance.

On the driving assistant front, the Cooper SE comes standard-equipped with both the Driving Assistant, Driving Assistant Plus, Park Assist and Parking Assistant Plus suites. Altogether, this enables a high degree of semi-autonomous driving abilities.

Key highlights include Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Steering and Lane Control assistant, semi-autonomous parking entry and exit, front and rear collision warning, Evasion Assistant, and more of the like. Notably present too are both a Drive Recorder and Anti-Theft Recorder features.

Orders are now opened for the 202 MINI Cooper SE, which is tagged at RM193,888 excluding the extended warranty option available, the latter adding RM6,300 on the price figure mentioned.

Open for orders through authorised dealers now, the new MINI Cooper SE commands a base retail price of RM193,888. Included in said figure is MINI’s usual two-year standard warranty and 5-year 24-hour roadside assistance. Included too is a separate 8-year or 160,000 KM battery warranty.

Available too is an optional extended warranty that further adds two years, bringing its total coverage to a four-year span. This can be opted-in at an additional RM6,300 for the MINI Cooper SE specifically.