MINI pegs the Cooper SE EPA-rated range at 110 miles

MINI says this 110-mile range is just an estimate. Why at this late date is the EPA-rated range not known?
 
Last edited:
insightman said:
MINI says this 110-mile range is just an estimate. Why at this late date is the EPA-rated range not known?
Click to expand...
It's MINI itself (every automaker, basically) that does the testing and submits the results to the EPA. So, the wait here, I guess, is for MINI to either perform the test or report it. I can't imagine it straying more than a few miles from 110 in either direction, so I think we have a close enough idea.
 
Domenick said:
On its website, MINI now predicts the EPA range of the Cooper SE will be 110 miles. It sounds better in metric: 177 kilometers.

This is a few miles short of the 114-mile figure that had been bandied about previously, but not catastrophically short.
Click to expand...
I believe it was Automotive News that originally bandied-about the 114-mile range. They must have compared other cars' European WLTP range ratings with the same cars' US EPA range ratings and extrapolated for the MINI Cooper SE.

Unfortunately, when MINI revealed the 110-mile range, they also plumped up the SE's curb weight by 144 lbs. MINI originally said the SE's curb weight was 3,009 lbs and now it's 3,153 lbs. MINI used to claim the MINI Cooper SE was 320 lbs heavier than a MINI Cooper S with an automatic transmission. Does that mean the MINI Cooper SE is actually 464 lbs heaver than the auto-trans, gas-powered S?

What's next? Will MINI tell us the body wasn't raised 0.7 inches to accommodate the battery, but 6 inches? Is the hood scoop actually necessary to prevent the electric motor from overheating after they blocked off the grille?
 
insightman said:
I believe it was Automotive News that originally bandied-about the 114-mile range. They must have compared other cars' European WLTP range ratings with the same cars' US EPA range ratings and extrapolated for the MINI Cooper SE.

Unfortunately, when MINI revealed the 110-mile range, they also plumped up the SE's curb weight by 144 lbs. MINI originally said the SE's curb weight was 3,009 lbs and now it's 3,153 lbs. MINI used to claim the MINI Cooper SE was 320 lbs heavier than a MINI Cooper S with an automatic transmission. Does that mean the MINI Cooper SE is actually 464 lbs heaver than the auto-trans, gas-powered S?

What's next? Will MINI tell us the body wasn't raised 0.7 inches to accommodate the battery, but 6 inches? Is the hood scoop actually necessary to prevent the electric motor from overheating after they blocked off the grille?
Click to expand...

I read a comment on the site defending the 110-mile range. Basically, it allows MINI to keep the price low, so in California, at least, a $20,000 price is possible after incentives.
 
Domenick said:
I read a comment on the site defending the 110-mile range. Basically, it allows MINI to keep the price low, so in California, at least, a $20,000 price is possible after incentives.
Click to expand...
There are 4 important benefits of the MINI Cooper SE's 32.6 kWh sub-Tesla battery:
1. It's less expensive than a bigger battery, enabling the car to be more affordable
2. It's smaller than a bigger battery (yes, really), so it doesn't take away any interior space
3. It's lighter than a bigger battery, preserving the MINI's traditional good handling and acceleration
4. The lighter weight makes the car more efficient, unless you'll use the full capacity of a bigger battery on every trip

Some might add that a smaller battery charges more quickly than a bigger battery, but that's only if you fully charge both batteries. It takes less time to charge the bigger battery to the smaller battery's capacity because charging slows as batteries approach their full charge.

The only negative aspect of the MINI Cooper SE's 32.6 kWh battery is the car's 110-mile range, which admittedly can be a deal-breaker for those who have only one car or who live more than 50 miles from civilization. After going 10 months before finally visiting a gas station in our Honda Clarity PHEV with its 47-mile EV range, 110 miles will seem like plenty of EV range to me. (What?!?! Insightman wants a MINI Cooper SE?)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top