The Inaugural Electric Mini Cooper Manufactured in China

Jawad

16 Oct 2023

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The Inaugural Electric Mini Cooper Manufactured in China

The first units of the brand-new electric Mini Cooper recently rolled off the production line at the Spotlight Automotive manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China. However, this factory isn't your ordinary car production plant; it's the result of a unique collaboration between Great Wall Motor (GWM) and BMW, initiated in 2019.

A Noteworthy Partnership

This joint venture began with a significant investment of RMB 1.7 billion (about €216.84 million). Interestingly, while GWM and BMW jointly develop and produce these cars, they intend to sell them separately through their individual sales channels, marking a rare case of "joint venture without joint venture."

Production Capacity and Model Lineup

The plant has a standard capacity to manufacture up to 160,000 vehicles annually, with a focus on producing two pure electric Mini models. Alongside the classic three-door Mini Cooper, the facility also has plans to introduce a compact Mini crossover, catering to both international and Chinese markets.

Evolution of the Iconic Mini Cooper

The revamped Mini Cooper retains its iconic design cues, featuring round headlights and the oval front grille. The rear of the car showcases triangular tail lights, offering a modern twist on the signature Union Jack lights from previous models.

Stylish Design and Specs

The car's design showcases a bold combination of a pristine white roof and a vibrant blue body, accented with asymmetric rims. While the car doesn't reveal its exact dimensions and pricing yet, it certainly makes a statement.

Two Electrifying Versions

The Mini Cooper lineup includes the base Mini Cooper E with a 135 kW electric motor and a 40.7 kWh battery pack. For those seeking more power, the Mini Cooper SE comes with a 160 kW/330 Nm electric motor and a 54.2 kWh battery pack. The SE accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds and offers a maximum range of 402 km (WLTP). Both models support 11 kW AC charging and rapid 95 kW DC fast charging.

Futuristic Interior

Inside the electric Mini Cooper, traditional instrument panels are a thing of the past. Instead, drivers are greeted by a head-up display and a 24 cm floating circular control screen powered by the MINI OS 9 operating system. Notably, the classic round air-conditioning outlets have been replaced with sleek slit air-conditioning vents.

Arrival in International and Chinese Markets

The eagerly anticipated all-electric Mini Cooper is set to launch in both the international and Chinese markets in early 2024, which is just around the corner. However, key details such as dimensions and pricing are yet to be unveiled.

Electric Mini Cooper EV Production BMWGreat Wall Motor Collaboration Electric Vehicle Technology Mini Cooper Design Chinese Electric Car Market Electric Mini Cooper Models Charging Infrastructure Automotive Industry Partnerships Future of Electric Cars

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