Today in big cities it is difficult to exceed 80 km / h of maximum speed, the journeys are generally less than 70 kilometers per day and the vehicle spends most of the day stopped. The reality of mobility is close to the previous assumption, and it is from these transport needs that the proposals by the industry have been shaped. This time I will talk to you about one totally directed to get around the congested streets of a city but without losing the values of the brand it represents.
The Mini Cooper SE is the bet in the segment of electric vehicles that the English firm launches on the market. It is the first to be massively marketed but the second with this type of propulsion. It was in 2008 when the Mini E, a car that served as a guinea pig to evaluate its daily use, considerations in terms of recharging the battery and the projection of this type of technology in the future. In Mexico, some units were handed over to different research centers and universities to allow them to know their concept in detail.
Unique identity
While the new Mini Cooper SE It does not resort to adaptations in size and shapes, it does have distinctive elements that are very clear. Suffice it to mention that it is 3,850 millimeters long and 1,432 millimeters high. The only difference that we can find if we are very observant is that the suspension height is 18 millimeters higher than the Mini with a combustion engine and this is due to the fact that the battery is housed in the floor of the passenger compartment and therefore occupies a more space.
It is followed by some elements painted in the Energetic Yellow color and that go from the side mirrors, through the wheels, the logos and some specific points of the interior. We will find some slight modifications on the front and specifically on the grille, which by not requiring cooling and providing oxygen to a combustion engine, is closed thus achieving less resistance to advance. Apart from this, it is enough to mention that it lacks an exhaust but that the socket for the electrical supply is located in the same place as the conventional one for gasoline.
Single touch
The communication that is achieved between the driving position and the rest of the vehicle is something unique that is only present in Mini, and that feature remains intact in this model. Inside, the driving position is just as close to the ground as in any of its brothers at home, and in which the proximity of all controls and perfect visibility at any angle are also appreciated. In front of the driver there is a new 5 ”color digital information display that offers details such as the battery’s energy level, the speed at which we are driving, indications from the navigation system as well as the percentage of energy that we demand in each acceleration.
Already in the central console we run into the well-known levers; in this model, as it is an electric one, the one that corresponds to the system ignition is also painted green. Next to it is the one that activates any of the battery regeneration modes in deceleration phases. At the top of the console is the 8.8 ”circular screen that is sensitive to touch and color; has Apple CarPlay and navigation system.
As regards comfort and habitability, it maintains the space available for 4 adults although it is also true that there are space reserves in the second row. The upholstery uses leather known as Cross Punch in Carbon Black color and harmonizes with the multifunction steering wheel covered in Nappa leather. The air conditioning system is automatic but if you opt for greater energy efficiency it will not work; I’ll tell you about it later.
It has a panoramic roof from which we can block the sun’s rays through a thin mesh, although in practice and during this first contact, I can tell you that it is not very effective to prevent you from getting overheated. In the comfort details are the electric activation of the windows and rear-view mirrors as well as the manual adjustments, including height, for the front seats. In addition to the USB port a wireless charger is also added. The trunk space (211 liters), remains as in the 3-door Mini and with a combustion engine since the location of the battery does not affect it.
Electricity for the city
For many, its little more than 234 kilometers of autonomy does not seem enough but it is at this point that Mini points out that the orientation of its product is totally for the city. Before going to the mechanical details, I want to mention that the lithium-ion battery is located under the rear bench and along the well-known transmission tunnel. Its position is a key factor in achieving an advantageous weight distribution because the electric generator is lighter than a thermal power unit and because the mass is distributed over a larger area and not just on the front axle. The battery only penalizes an additional 145 kilograms to leave the scale at a total of 1,365 kilograms.
Other factors that play in favor of Mini Cooper SE They have a lower center of gravity and the same suspension scheme as in its gasoline variant as the front axle retains the McPherson architecture while a Multilink scheme is used on the rear axle. The electric motor is located on the front axle and has a power of 135 kW or its equivalent to 184 horsepower. But the most relevant thing is the torque, which, being produced by a generator, is immediately available so its 270 Nm of torque is felt from the first moment.
The transmission is a single gear and perfectly manages the recharging system. I told you before about the button for energy recovery modalities; these are Soft and Maximum. With the second, the greatest resistance is felt, so once we learn to dose the accelerator stroke, we can slow down with almost the same intensity as if we applied the brake. This modality is recommended in cities where arrests are very common.
The electronics also allow you to have 4 driving modes: Sport, Mid, Green and Green +. Of all of them, it is the last with which the maximum level of autonomy can be reached, but it must also be clear that the air conditioning will not work, only the ventilation. The battery, with a capacity of 32.6 kWh, can be recharged up to a maximum of 50 kW. With a charger with this power it can regenerate from 0 to 80% in 35 minutes. On the other hand, with a 7.4 kW Wallbox, the time used for the same percentage will be 3.2 hours.
According to the information provided by the brand and with the cost of energy at the time of presentation, the cost for 100% regeneration is 107.93 pesos. Among its benefits are an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 7.3 seconds and a maximum speed of 150 km / h.
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Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx