Mini

The model that appeared in 1959 was to prove to be the concept for the modern small cars of the future. One wheel in each corner, transverse engine with front wheel drive.

The Mini Cooper offers entertainment

Posted 08/11/2024 by Terje Bjørnstad

mini cooper se — Mini Cooper SE JCW at the Holmenkollen ski resort

It may not be the most sensible car you can buy, but few electric cars in the same price range offer more entertainment and driving pleasure. Maybe we can thank BMW for that?

I saw the new electric Mini Cooper for the first time earlier this year at eCarExpo. The 2024 model of Mini and the all-new 5-door Mini Aceman are built on a platform developed by Spotlight Automotive Ltd – a company owned by BMW and Chinese GWM (Great Wall Motor). The cars arriving in Norway today are manufactured in China, but BMW plans to start production at the Mini factory in Oxford from 2026.

New platform

The new Mini platform is interesting because it is intended for small cars - which it still is cars - not tall SUV-like vehicles that the car manufacturers end up with after putting in the batteries. There are no visual features in the design of the electric Mini Cooper that tell that there are batteries in it. They are located under the floor and compared to the previous model, the batteries actually build up the floor somewhat. The former electric Mini Cooper shared a platform with the petrol-powered cars. The batteries were then distributed in the center console and under the rear seats. It did not build up the floor, but gave limited space for batteries. What I refer to as "previous model" is still produced, but only with fossil engines. The new platform for the Cooper E and SE also has a 31 millimeter longer wheelbase and a wider front and rear track width.

Although the new Mini is bigger than before, it doesn't really stand out when it comes to that place. On the contrary. The 3-door Mini Cooper SE is registered as a 4-seater. There is very limited legroom in the back seat, and getting in and out can be compared to acrobatic exercises. Let it be said right away: Mini has never been a space-saving wonder and it is hardly suitable for towing a trailer, either. So we leave it at that 🙂

Sporty chassis

The first thing that impressed me about the new Mini Cooper was the sense of space behind the wheel. The design of the dashboard with head-up display and forward A-pillars gives the feeling of driving a larger car. You sit relatively low, and with long legs I had to push the chair quite far back.

The feeling of driving a bigger car was enhanced by the chassis. It is sporty stiff. You register which surface you are driving on, but the car copes with unevenness far more comfortably than I had expected in this class of car. Even with 17-inch studless winter wheels, the car was very stable on the road. It copes with sharp bends and roundabouts without feeling the weight pressing down. You know, that feeling that makes you take it extra easy around the bend to save chassis and tires - it's not present in the Mini Cooper. The car settles steadily into the bend and you can pull out with a heavy gas pedal. Wonderful sports car feeling! But be careful. With 218 horses, 333 Nm of torque and operation only on the front wheels, it can be easy to provoke some mischievous behavior.

Mini Experiences

Mini has taken driving mode to new heights. They call it Experiences. Driving mode not only determines steering resistance and throttle input, but also the sound and lighting in the passenger compartment. Artificial engine sound is nothing new, but it fits well that one John Cooper Works makes a sound when you step on the gas. One of the driving programs is then also called for Go-Kart. It gives the feeling of playing computer games while driving. Let me add that the control enhances the computer game feeling. It is very precise, but gives no feedback from the tires and the road surface - just like the steering wheel in a games console.

The driving programs I liked the most were Core og Green. Core is a sporty driving program where you can also drive economically. Green provides a more sedate gas pedal without destroying the possibility of an active driving style. It is fine when driving in queues, but the lively animation on the screen can be distracting. In Core, you get pleasant lighting and a discreet sound when you step on the gas.

Range and charging

The Mini Cooper can be delivered with two battery sizes. The smallest battery in the Cooper E provides 36,6 kWh (net), while "our" car, the Cooper SE provides 49,2 kWh (net). Stated range according to the vehicle license is 390 km. A rule of thumb I use is that real range often ends up at 4/5ths of the stated WLTP range. That gives us a real range of 312 km, and 250 km if you want to charge at 20%. Estimated real range of 312 km can be substantiated by real average consumption the 500 km the car has driven since it was put into use. It is 16,1 kWh/100 km. Stated consumption WLTP is 14,6 kWh/100 km. The consumption on our most recent trips agrees well with the WLTP as we have driven a lot on roads with reduced speed limits.

The 11 kW on-board charger works efficiently. It received 11 kW from the wall charger as soon as we inserted the plug. The car then charged from 30-80% in 2,5 hours. The batteries can be preheated in advance, so that they are ready to receive rapid charging immediately. The maximum charging speed with the CCS connector is 95 kW. The batteries are not adapted to fast lightning chargers.

Place

The space in the back seat of the 3-door Mini is limited, and access is difficult and not suitable for everyone. Nevertheless, such a back seat solution works on short trips. The luggage compartment of 210 liters accommodates a small cabin suitcase and a couple of shopping bags. In addition, there is a fairly deep space underneath for charging cables and emergency equipment. With 3 people in the car, you can bring 650 liters of luggage.

Conclusion

400 km range is the new standard for small cars. Therefore, you should choose the Cooper SE because of the range. With winter tires and equipment, the prices will end up in the area of around NOK 400.000. It may not be the most sensible car you can buy, but few electric cars in that price range offer more entertainment and driving pleasure. Maybe we can thank BMW for that?

🙂 Sporty chassis that suits the car very well.
🙁 Can behave mischievously on the road if you drive well.

Rear lights with "Union Jack" pattern

Luggage compartment 210 liters as 4-seater

sørkedalen country store — Mini at Sørkedalen Landhandleri

Facts Mini Cooper SE

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 386 x 176 x 146 cm
Wheelbase: 253 cm
Net weight: 1658 kg (without driver)
Payload: 322 kg
Number of seats: 4
Max trailer weight w/brakes: Not possible
– without brakes: –
Roof load: not possible

Drivetrain
Engine: Electric located at the front
Power: 218 HP
Torque: 330 Nm
Gearbox: 1-speed automatic
Front wheel drive

Performances
Top speed: 170 km/h
0-100: 6,7 seconds

Battery pack
Manufacturer: Gotion (?)
Type: Li-ion
Total capacity: 54,2 kWh
Total capacity for use: 49,2 kWh
Heat pump

Range and consumption
WLTP: 390 km (combined)
Stated consumption WLTP: 14,6 kWh/100km
Real consumption since new: 16,1 kWh/100km

charging
Contacts: Type2 and CSS
On-board charger: 11kW
Charging time Type2, 11kW, 0-10%: 5h 15min.
— 30-80%: 2h 28min.
Charging time CSS, 95kW, 10-80%: 30 min.
Preheating of the batteries: Yes

Luggage compartment
As 4-seater: 210 litres
As 3-seater: 650 litres
As 2-seater: 800 litres

Tires
Dimension: 195/55R17 92H
Type: Winter tires without studs
Brand: Winter Snowcontrol Series 3

Prices
Price: NOK 410 (Cooper SE John Cooper Works Trim)

About the car
Place of manufacture: Jiangsu, China
Color: Midnight Black, Chili Red (roof)
Equipment grade: John Cooper Works Trim
Owner: Private
Model: 2024
Mileage: New
Km driven: In use
Source: Mini.no, Vegvesen.no

Interior

Core experience

Stylish entrance lighting

See

Mini.no
How we test the cars

Wolseley Hornet – rear-heavy Mini

Posted 28/03/2022 by Anders de Lange

A car brand that is largely forgotten today. A bit sad as Wolseley had a history going all the way back to 1895 when the first car was shown to the public.

Shared fate with Riley

The first cars went on sale around 1900 and the model selection increased rapidly. Around 1915, Wolseley was one of the largest car factories in England. Around 1920, the factory launched new models with very advanced engines with overhead camshafts. But it did little to help sales and the factory went bankrupt in 1926. The estate was bought by Morris who liked the products from Wolseley. New models came on the market and the model selection became large. In order to get production better organized, Wolseley was sold to Austin in 1935. The production of passenger cars after the war started as early as 1945 as one of the first factories in England. In 1952 BMC was established and Wolseley became part of this group. This meant that the smaller manufacturers in groups such as Wolseley and Riley were allowed to develop their own variants based on existing models from Austin and Morris. Both Riley and Wolseley were successful with their own models based technically on the Morris Minor.

Mini in luxury format

BMC launched their new mini as both Austin and Morris in 1959. It was a success and it was decided that both Wolseley and Riley should follow up with their own variants of this model. The model from Wolseley was adapted to the brand's profile by giving it more equipment and by changing its appearance. The car was made longer than the Morris Mini by giving it an extended boot. Now it resembled a traditional passenger car. Inside, it also received more equipment to emphasize that it was a luxury version of the Austin/Morris. Technically, it followed the development of the "mini concept" with a larger engine and better suspension. This small special model was produced in the period 1961 to 1969. In total, production ended at approx. 29 copies of this model from Wolseley.

Wolseley Hornet data at introduction

Length: 327 cm
Width: 135 cm
Height: 141 cm
Top speed: 114 km/h
Engine: 848 ccm, 34 hp

See

Exciting car history from Anders de Lange's archives

Austin mini

Posted 14/11/2021 by Anders de Lange

It was smaller than other cars in the same price range, had very small wheels, lacked luggage space, but the technology was completely new. With very good driving characteristics, it immediately made its debut in car racing.

Austin and Morris became BMC

Austin was for many years one of England's largest car manufacturers. The factory was started by Herbert Austin in 1905 as the Austin Motor Company. The first model was a large 5-litre car with 4 cylinders. Leading up to the First World War, a number of different models were produced. In 1, Austin launched the famous 1922, a small and affordable car. It hit the market very well and was also produced by BMW as the Dixi. After the Second World War, the factory quickly came on the market with new models. In 7, Austin joined forces with Morris to form BMC (British Motor Corporation). The most famous model in the 2s and 1952s was the Austin and Morris Mini. Mini-Cooper made the brand famous in car racing in the 50s. Other popular models were the Austin Cambridge and the Austin 60.

Austin Mini Seven

When BMC launched this model in 1959, it came as both Austin and Morris. The only difference between them was the color selection and the grill. For car buyers, the new model was a big surprise. It was smaller than other cars in the same price range and it had very small wheels. It also lacked luggage space. The technique was completely new. The car was equipped with rubber suspension and the transverse engine drove the front wheels. But it had very good driving characteristics, and immediately made its debut in car racing. When the Mini-Cooper came on the market with a larger engine in 1961, it also became a winner in major international rallies. The Mini-Cooper got a bigger engine in 1964 and it resulted in victory in the Rallye Monte Carlo. The model range was expanded to include a van, pick-up and station wagon. In 1967, the Mini MKII was launched with a number of changes and improvements.

Data Austin Mini and Cooper S

Length 303 cm
Width 139 cm
Height 135 cm

Engine 848 ccm and 36 hp. Top speed 116 km/h.
(Cooper S: 1275 ccm and 76 hp. Top speed 160 km/h).

See

Mini mkVII – English classic

Posted 08/10/2019 by Terje Bjørnstad

I spotted it a couple of hundred meters away. Only the roof profile was visible. "English classic", I thought and headed for the car.

What makes a car a classic? Shape? Color? Shape? Brand? The Mini mkVII ticks all these boxes. It has the Mini's original body shape. The details reveal that we are in the late 90s. Widened, painted fender arches, Minilite rims, chrome grill, walnut dashboard, off white leather interior and finished in British Racing Green Metallic.

Rule Britain!

British Leyland kept production of the Mini going right up until the year 2000. Actually, it should have been replaced by Mini Metro. The Metro was launched as – A British car to beat the World, but achieved far from the same status as the model it was supposed to replace. The classic Mini had Class, which the charmless Metro certainly is not had. The only good thing you could say about the Metro was that Diana Spencer rode one when she was dating Prince Charles.

Shell under the hammer

I do not know the history of the car pictured. I noticed a note from the City Environmental Agency in the middle of the driver's side. "Vehicles subject to registration without a legal number plate must not be parked for more than 14 days, cf. Section 17 of the Road Traffic Act." The note is from March 2017 and states that the car was unregistered at the time of the inspection.

It is not known where the car was when it was piled down with bird droppings. Maybe it was in the street where it was found? Perhaps at the municipality's rope-in site? The dents on the bumpers reveal that it has been the victim of reckless hatch parking. The grill is gone, probably torn out by a worn-in hanger. I have no idea why the beautiful Mini ended up on the street. Maybe the clutch was the problem? Maybe it was not EU-approved? Perhaps the owner had bought himself ny Mini? Oslo Municipality will now have covered its expenses. Soon it will end up under the hammer at Økern Bilauksjon in Fornebu.

Updated 09.04.2020/XNUMX/XNUMX. The car is now posted on the website of Økern Bilauksjon. It has been cleaned, all wheel bolts in place and two sets of (new) keys - and it looks like the ignition switch has been changed or something like that. Requires "TLC" to be perfect, as well as a small effort to fix the immobilizer/electronics..

Klassisk

We may never know the story. Auction companies often receive cars with no history other than the documents that are in the car. When the car is wheeled into the auction room, it will be freshly washed and have a practical condition report on the route. Fully polished and in good working order, a Mini mkVII can go for between NOK 100 and 000. Like other classics, the prices will expect to be on the way up as the model soon turns 150 years old. The MkVII was the last series – the best equipped – the most beautiful, and perhaps the best put together.

In terms of collector value, there is only one classic Mini. the successor, Mini Metro, is long forgotten. New The Mini from BMW is a great car, but it will probably be forgotten in 50 years, too. It will not the beauty of the pictures be!

Facts

Weights and Measures
Length, width, height in cm: 305 / 144 / 134
Wheelbase in cm: 204
Own weight: 696 kg

Motor
1,3i MPI OHV
Displacement: 1275 ccm
Horsepower: 62 HP at 5500 rpm

Performances
Top speed: 148 km/h
0-100: 13 seconds

Tires

Tires: Yokohama A539 summer tires
Size: 175/50R13 72V

About the car
Year model: 1996-2000
Mileage: Unknown
Notice of encroachment given: 12.03.2017.
Towed in from Olav Kyrresgate 8, Oslo.
Available at Økern Bilauksjon, Fornebu.
Check Økern Bilauksjon's websites

Pictures

Mini Metro?

After all, following classic Mini must be like jumping after Wirkola. Mini Metro sold well in the home market, but never became as cool as its predecessor - despite heavy marketing. The production of Metro went on for a full 18 years. However, the model that Metro was supposed to replace lived on after Metro was shut down.

I mentioned the Metro that Princess Diana owned when she was a "nanny" in kindergarten and dated Prince Charles. It featured in the first press photos together with the shy, beautiful 19-year-old. I think the pictures must have been good advertising for the Metro retailers at the time. Today the car is at the National British Motor Museum Coventry Transport Museum. The car has had three owners after the princess, but still has not traveled more than a modest 48 km.

See Daily Mail - Pictures of Diana's Mini Metro

Car travel document from Catalonia

Posted 17/06/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

Renault 4 Fourgonnette ready for use with roof rack and trailer hitch.

I am in France quite a lot, – the French side of Catalonia towards Spain.

I speed around by car or bicycle along the beautiful landscape consisting of orchards, vineyards, forest, beach and mountains, - and all the villages. In the Nordic countries, we have a tradition of building our houses spread out. Here they built densely. In villages, many streets are often completely unsuitable for cars.

I take pictures when I come across something special. Truth be told, exclusive vehicles are closer elsewhere in France than right here. The advantage here, however, is that the cars never rust. This makes it possible to find older cars that have long since disappeared elsewhere.

Here is a photo series of special cars and their beautiful surroundings.

The minis down here have different dashboards. I think they are manufactured on the continent somewhere. Check out the great rims!

This Euro mini is easy to find in Perpignan's inner city.

The dealer should have 3800 Euros for this great Renault 4 with 157 km on the odometer.

Also bring this Renault in my neighborhood. Every street corner is beautified by having a Renault 4 parked.

Renault Twingo turns 25 this year. Many are still on the road and have covered several hundred thousand km. You actually have to put a lot of money on the table to secure a Twingo 1 in such good condition as this one.

I'm guessing that this Peugeot 504 pickup has received a refurbishment at one point or another in its life. The pickups were produced several years after the production of passenger cars was discontinued.

A car for presidents. The Citrö C6 is a rare sight in the popular towns here in the South of France.

These donnings swept past at high speed with camouflage foil. In the autumn, they appear without disguise as – Mercedes-Benz X-class!

Fun camper with Pilote superstructure on Ford Transit from around 1980. Great wheel covers!

Motif from St Marti along the Costa Brava, Spain.

Mood pictures from the South of France in tropical heat.

The cars in Kensington

Posted 27/03/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

Kensington is not only famous for its green spaces, - its Victorian and Edwardian architecture. There are few streets in the world where the luxury cars are so close together. Few have garages. The original stables in the back streets have long since been converted into homes, small shops or business premises. Therefore, cars must be parked along the street.

Several of them have already been caught by car spotters and spread on social media. The diversity is great. Italian sports cars, British classics, German prestige cars, vintage cars and a couple that look like they've been in Wacky races. If you explore the small, narrow back streets, you can find places where the owners of local vintage car dealers have placed their cars on the street for public viewing. Within Kensington you will find no less than two authorized Ferrari dealers and one Lamborghini dealer. Norway has - by comparison - none.

This is Mecca for car enthusiasts. I chose not to include pictures of newer, German cars. Here they are so close that they would have filled the blog pages on Terje's cars right up until Christmas.

Aston Martin Rapide S. Probably the world's most beautiful 4-door vehicle. 6,0 liter V12 produces 552 HP.

Early spring in Kensington. This great T2 camper is a decorative element together with the fruit bloom.

1963-66 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III with its lovely Spirit of Extacy.

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is a rare sight with a 5,7 liter V12 mounted just behind the front axle.

Ferrari California T probably bought from one of the Ferrari dealers in South Kensington.

It can hardly get more British than this. This is probably the last Limited Edition, 1275 ccm from 1990-95.

Ferrari California (closest), Lamborghini Quattroporte and Ferrari 599 GTB (the red one across the street).

Mercedes Benz 200 (W115) facelifted model with wide grill has been in these streets for several years. I think the color Signal Orange suits the brick facades well.

Wandering through Holland Park I found this beautiful W126. I had almost forgotten how great the over 30 year old design actually is!

Near Holland Park I found this Fiat Nuova 500 L. Ideal car for getting around London.

Lightly patinated 1994-2000 BMW 3-series (E36) convertible.

This 1998 Infinity Q45 with a retrofitted Bentley grill makes tourists smile. Pictures of this donning abound on the web.

KENSINGTON

Kensington's southern boundary is a line between Harrods and Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC). In the north, the district extends to Westfields (Shepard's Bush) in the west and Hyde park in the east. Westfields is a huge shopping center with many shops - many very exclusive. You will also find large chain stores along Kensington High Street.
Along Old Brompton Road in the south you will find several smaller shops, cafes and restaurants. Kensington is a quiet district with almost no nightlife. I can recommend the following three hotels: Hilton, 179-199 Holland Park Avenue. Great location for Westfields and Central Line to Oxford Street. Lexham Gardens Hotel, 1 Lexham Gardens, is a cheap hotel, with good rooms and friendly service. Regency/Doubletree, 100 Queens Gate has nice newly refurbished rooms, and good access to shops and cafes.