Verdict

It is arduous to advocate the MINI Electrical Convertible – and never simply due to the standard compromises that include a drop-top. It very a lot appears like a sign-off for the prevailing automotive, as an alternative of the beginning of a daring new period. Anybody after a MINI EV could be higher served by ready for the recent technology. And anybody who’s blissful to accept a comparatively old-school expertise might want to abdomen a hefty price ticket. 

It’s the brand new electrical MINI Convertible! Nicely, kind of. As a result of regardless of being the primary time MINI has paired an EV powertrain with an open-top physique, this isn’t primarily based on the all-new electrical Cooper we’ll be seeing in a number of months time, however a closing-stages particular of the prevailing MINI Electrical you should buy at present. 

With a strict 999-unit construct run, 150 of which will likely be coming to the UK, the MINI Electrical Convertible will likely be one thing of a distinct segment for now, and at £52,500, it could possible have stayed that method had it been put into full sequence manufacturing. So this MINI Electrical Convertible is extra of an amuse bouche to the world of open-top MINI EV motoring.

Below the pores and skin, the MINI Electrical Convertible options the identical primary powertrain as discovered within the hard-top, with a 181bhp electrical motor powering the entrance wheels. Efficiency is spritely, fairly than sporty, with 62mph reached in 8.2 seconds; that’s practically a second down on the usual hatchback, attributable to a hefty 1,470kg weight determine. The additional weight comes by way of combining the electrical powertrain with the added strengthening required of the Convertible physique form. Nevertheless, as is the case with the electrical hatch, the 269Nm of torque delivered by its e-motor is out there from a standstill, so the automotive feels faster on the street than the numbers counsel. 

Regardless of the frankly enormous weight determine, the MINI Electrical nonetheless does drive nicely, with restricted roll within the corners and a tenacious quantity of front-end grip underpinned by strong, if comparatively uncommunicative steering really feel. The very fact there’s no roof round is felt, although, with a certain quantity of shake coming by way of the steering rack and the comparatively stiff passive damper set-up. 

One thing value noting is the actual fact the Convertible, just like the hatch, has been retrofitted to just accept its electrical powertrain from the unique combustion engine, and attributable to packaging constraints, the battery is a comparatively small 28.9kWh (usable). This limits the MINI’s estimated WLTP vary to simply 124 miles, round 15 miles lower than the hatchback. It’s not likely backed up with excessive charging speeds, both, peaking at 50kW on a DC charger; meaning round half-hour to cost the tiny battery from 10 to 80 per cent. This arguably confines the automotive to city driving, except you don’t thoughts stopping to cost each hundred miles or so on an extended motorway journey. 

And it’s right here the place the MINI Electrical Convertible actually stretches its rationality, as a £50k-plus worth level makes it an costly runaround. To make issues worse, the general design and its inside tech are proper on the finish of their life, so whereas the BMW-derived tech and primary construct high quality are good, the world has already moved on to sleeker and extra reductionist themes – a vogue consideration, maybe, however one that may little doubt matter to patrons of this kind of automotive. 

But in context of its relative rarity, and the kind of individuals possible to purchase it, the MINI Electrical convertible would possibly make a compelling providing. As a vogue accent, an open-topped EV would possibly simply be the right metropolis runaround. It’s compact and simple to drive, and the notion of near-silent cabrio motoring makes for an fascinating area of interest we all know others will quickly occupy. 

It could have been good to see MINI lean into this captive market with extra eccentric color and trim choices. As a result of what the MINI model has executed is set up one very fascinating high quality: whole and utter classlessness, which means that even with one thing as compromised because the MINI Electrical Convertible, some patrons will adore it anyway.