2025 Minis: Exciting EV Powertrains and Unconventional Interiors

author: FutureCar Staff    

BMW generously provided us with flights from Albany to Munich and back, as well as three nights in a hotel, so that we could attend the IAA Munich auto show. It's important to note that Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

The 2020 Mini Cooper SE proved that an all-electric Mini could provide a lot of fun in a small package. However, its limited range of just 110 miles (177 km) made its real-world viability questionable. For 2025, Mini is fully embracing electrification. The upcoming Cooper E and SE models continue the legacy of emissions-free driving, now with improved range to match.

Let's begin by clarifying Mini's model and trim lineup. The Mini Cooper will now encompass the three- and five-door configurations, including the Convertible. While there will be gasoline-powered Cooper and Cooper S models in the future, Mini is currently introducing the electric Cooper E and SE, which are built on a completely different platform.

The electric Coopers will be available in four purely cosmetic trims: Essential, Classic, Favoured, and JCW. The JCW trim features black logos, racing stripes, and a Chili Red roof.

Expanding on Mini's lineup is the new Mini Countryman, which fully embraces its crossover SUV status. It is bigger and more capable than its predecessor, and will be available as both an electric vehicle and with traditional gasoline-powered engines.

Let's focus on the electric Cooper models. The Cooper E trim offers 184 hp (137 kW) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.3 seconds. Mini is targeting an estimated range of 190 miles (305 km) on the European WLTP cycle, which should translate to around 175 miles (281 km) on the more challenging EPA test cycle.

Stepping up to the SE trim, you'll get even more power with 218 hp (163 kW) and 243 lb-ft (330 Nm) of torque. This results in a faster 0-62 mph time of 6.7 seconds. The SE also comes with a larger 54.2 kWh battery pack, providing a range of 250 miles (402 km) on the WLTP cycle, or approximately 215 miles (346 km) on the EPA cycle.

The 2025 Countryman is even larger than its predecessor, with a height increase of 2.4 inches (60 mm) and a width increase of 1.2 inches (30 mm). The Countryman E variant offers 204 hp (152 kW) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds. Mini is targeting a range of 287 miles (461 km) on the WLTP cycle, or about 250 miles (402 km) on the EPA cycle.

The Countryman SE ALL4 model adds a motor to provide all-wheel drive, resulting in increased power and torque at 313 hp (233 kW) and 364 lb-ft (493 Nm) respectively. However, the range decreases to 269 miles (476 km) on the WLTP cycle, or roughly 235 miles (378 km) on the EPA cycle.

If you're not ready for an electric vehicle, the Countryman offers four additional trims with internal combustion engines: the front-wheel drive Mini Countryman C, the all-wheel drive Mini Countryman S ALL4, and the high-performance Mini Countryman JCW ALL4. Specifications for these models have not been released yet.

Although the range numbers for the Cooper models are impressive compared to the previous Mini SE, the charging speeds leave something to be desired. The Cooper E has a maximum charging speed of 75 kW, while the SE manages 95 kW. Both are improvements over the outgoing SE's 50 kW, but still lower than many modern EVs. However, the smaller battery packs of these models compensate for the slower charging speeds. The electric Countryman models, on the other hand, offer a charging speed of 130 kW.

Any disappointment regarding the charging speeds will quickly fade once you see the interiors of the Cooper and Countryman. Both models feature radical designs, with dashboards covered in woven, recycled fabrics that serve as a visual light-stage for projectors integrated into the back of the floating 9.4-inch circular OLED panel, which functions as the infotainment and gauge cluster. This "Mini Interaction Unit" runs Mini Operating System 9, which is built on top of Android and offers fast performance and mobile device-like features such as OTA updates and integrated multiplayer games that can be controlled using your smartphone. The user interface is highly customizable, and while Mini doesn't explicitly mention it, it is likely that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will be supported.

FutureCar Staff