With the MINI Electric Resolute, the iconic British marque shoots its most popular compact bullet into the electrification realm.
The MINI Cooper S has always had a contrarian disposition. Too small to be a family car, too gentle to be a supercharged sportster, too quirky for urban practicality. But still, it’s popularity as a zippy, fun-to-drive vehicle is undeniable. Besides, it speaks volumes of the person behind the wheel — one who shuns convention, and is proud of all the uniqueness the car provides.
Now, owners of the British icon can add “concerned with the environment” to its long list of preferred characteristics. And with the MINI Electric Resolute, drivers can kiss goodbye to the reliance on fossil fuels forever.
One of the attractive features of the MINI Electric Resolute is that it doesn’t shout out that it’s an electric car. While many other makes go out of their ways to make their electric models look unnecessarily funky, you would hardly be able to tell that this MINI doesn’t require any petrol.
That said, there are telltale signs that this is one model in the latest MINI Edition range that’s not like the others. One rather obvious one is the 17-inch alloy wheels in Electric Collection Spoke design. “Spoke”, here, is just a term, not an actuality. The wheel has an asymmetric panel design that really sets it apart. Then again, as part of the Resolute range, the MINI Electric Resolute possesses all the design attributes of this new collection.
Modern, high-quality accentuations in design pervade through the Resolute MINIs. Chrome is used at a minimum, and the Resolute also offers its own unique Rebel Green colour scheme with a Pepper White roof finish and mirror carps — an option that was only available with the MINI John Cooper Works.
Other signature Resolute elements include features in Resolute Bronze. These include the radiator grille and rear lights, headlight surrounds, door handles and tailgate, air intakes in the front apron, and the fuel cap. Piano Black is used in brand logos and model lettering, noticeably on the ‘MINI’ logo on the boot of the car, tailpipe trim of the exhaust system, and horizontal radiator grille strut. The black strip along the lower edge of the windows also provides a classy touch. Love it or hate it, the MINI Electric Resolute also comes with a pattern of parallel lines of diminishing shades of gold on the bonnet.
The interior of the car offers nothing but sporty sophistication, if there were a term for this. Sport seats in MINI Yours Leather Lounge in Carbon Black are luxuriant to the touch, and boasts quality stitching and piping. The Union Jack motif on the head rests are true to its British roots, and the Nappa sports leather steering wheel just demands caressing with its smooth touch.
The MINI operating system is somewhat intuitive, and lets you swipe through its pages and functions. And the 8.8-inch circular display is bright, sharp and lets you know and control everything you need within easy reach. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Real Time Traffic Information is available on all MINI Resolute models, as is the Driving Assistant package that recognises speed limits, and provides collision and pedestrian warning systems with city braking function. Park Distance Control with sensors at the rear, and cruise control with braking function are also available.
Perhaps the only bugbear would be that this is a two-door car. Luggage space is limited, but the rear seats can be easily folded to expand the capacity. In any case, if you’re thinking of buying this car, it won’t be for its cargo-hauling ability!
What you will buy this car for, other than it being an electric vehicle, is for the way it drives. The front-located, single-battery MINI Electric Resolute is super-punchy, highly capable driving machine that sparks joy every time you take it out. The 184PS output is more than enough to propel the car off a standing position with such a jolt that it may be alarming to the uninformed. Zero to 100km/h in 7.3s without any notable effort. Handling is superb and expected, given that this is a Cooper S. Steering is accurate and responsive, and the car hugs the road through corners, like mothers would their children after a prolonged separation.
The only complaint may be that the 232km (published, but unlikely) range requires frequent charging. This is somewhat abated by a quick 35-minute charge from 50kW, DC fast-charging stations, or up to two and a half hours from an 11kW, AC MINI Wallbox. Then again, it’s a small price to pay for an electric vehicle that you’ll never tire of driving day in and day out.
MINI Electric Resolute Edition
Price: $224,888 (with COE)
Power: 184PS/135kW
Battery capacity: 32.64kWh (Gross) / 28.9kWh (Net)
0–100km/h: 7.3s
Max. speed: 150km/h
Range (WLTP): 232km
