Looks like Mini Cooper lives

insightman said:
Maybe MINI will make a long-range SE for those who don't care much about lightness
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I'm sure that's the niche the Countryman EV will fill. It's an exceedingly popular model in the US and is big enough and lumbering enough that extra batteries won't be a compromise.
 
insightman said:
an extra 500 lbs of batteries
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... presumably some of which will be compensated by the fact that the next gen is shorter/smaller.

In any case, while extra weight impacts cornering at the limits, many describe the current SE as the most fun-to-drive Mini ever. This, despite the fact that it weighs hundreds of pounds more than the ICE version. IOW, extra weight, per se, doesn't necessarily diminish driving enjoyment, at least to a point.

(Interesting question: what is it like to drive a Chevy Bolt fitted with sticky summer tires, lowering springs, rear anti-roll bar, etc.? I bet it is a hoot...and in terms of mass, range, power, and acceleration, that's the direct comparison to the rumored specs of the next Mini EV.)
 
(Interesting question: what is it like to drive a Chevy Bolt fitted with sticky summer tires, lowering springs, rear anti-roll bar, etc.? I bet it is a hoot...and in terms of mass, range, power, and acceleration, that's the direct comparison to the rumored specs of the next Mini EV.)
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Like this?

IMG_4314.webp


Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
 
insightman said:
That reputation is why I ordered my SE 6 months before production began. I worry that reputation will be difficult to maintain with an extra 500 lbs of batteries. Maybe MINI will make a long-range SE for those who don't care much about lightness and a sport version with 115 miles of range for those who do.
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Since the new MINI is based on the Ora Cat, the weight should be similar (or better since it's a priority for MINI).

The Ora Good Cat weights 3323lbs and has a 250mi range (47.8 kWh) which is only a 180lb increase. If MINI chooses a slightly lower range (say 200mi) the weight could be exactly the same! The Ora Good Cat also uses a skateboard chassis which would mean an even lower center of mass and potentially even better handling.

As much as I would love more range, I really hate the interior and rear of the spy shots so am still happy with my 2022. Maybe someone will offer a battery upgrade in the future...
 
I wonder whether the next EV Mini will be the first Mini without multi-link rear suspension. The Ora Cat doesn't seem to have that.

I think the front looks alright. The rear looks odd, but maybe it's just one of the things that we'll grow to love.

I am very happy with my SE and not looking to upgrade, but wouldn't mind upgrading the battery down the line. Hopefully, that'll become the norm for older EVs at some point.
 
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