By Otsile Kadiege

In South Africa the most attainable premium electric vehicle is the Mini Cooper SE. The British automaker recently unveiled the swanky drop top version of the Cooper SE. Mini says the Cooper SE Convertible is still a concept that shows how the path to an all-electric premium brand could continue and also electrify classic sporty open-air driving in the future.

Exterior dimensions

The unique specimen is based on the body of the Mini Cooper S Convertible. The electrified Mini Convertible also shares the dimensions of 3 863 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2 495 mm, a width of 1 727 mm and a height of 2 495 mm. The load volume in the luggage compartment also remains unchanged at 160 litres.

The fully electric and thus particularly quiet textile soft top can be opened and closed within 18 seconds. At the touch of a button, the soft top can be activated when driving up to 30 km/h and allows three settings: open, closed or as a sunroof.

Electric performance

The Mini Cooper SE Convertible uses the same drive components as the three-door MINI Cooper SE. Like the Mini Cooper SE, its electric motor makes 135kW and a claimed acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. On the WLTP test cycle the Mini Cooper SE Convertible has a claimed range of just 230 km.

We recently spent some time with the all-electric Mini Cooper SE. You can read our full-review here.