You can get the Paul Smith Edition in standard Cooper E form from £32,705, but that version is a tough sell. With only a 36.6kWh battery providing a maximum 186-mile range, it really isn’t good enough to compete with the similarly priced Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and Kia EV3, which offer 258 miles and 270 miles respectively.
For just £1,000 more, the Cooper SE is more palatable with a 49.2kWh battery offering 247 miles. Just as when we tested the Cooper E (which was fantastically efficient at 4.5 miles per kWh), the SE did the electric equivalent of sipping fuel as it clocked 4.2 miles per kWh – roughly around what MINI says it can do to reach that maximum range figure. This was mainly at motorway speeds during a heatwave, so the air-con was on full blast, too.
To drive, the Paul Smith Edition is no different to the standard Cooper SE, which is a very good thing if you’re looking for an EV that’s genuinely fun. Around town, though, the suspension sits on the wrong side of firm, which is a surprise given the MINI has typically excellent urban-friendly traits elsewhere such as its light, connected steering and zippy and responsive powertrain.
And the price premium the Paul Smith Edition commands over the Sport? Well, it’s £2,300 if you’re comparing the Cooper E, while it’s only £300 extra in Cooper SE trim – which even if you’re no stripe enthusiast looks a good deal.
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| Model: | MINI Cooper SE Paul Smith |
| Price: | £33,705 |
| Powertrain: | 49.2kWh battery, 1x motor |
| Power/torque: | 218bhp |
| Transmission: | Single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive |
| 0-62mph/top speed: | 6.7 seconds/106mph |
| Range: | 247 miles |
| Max charging: | 95kW (10-80% in 30 mins) |
| Size (L/W/H): | 3,858/1,756/1,460mm |
| On sale: | Now |
