Mini E: ultimate electric hot hatch? Full road test // Jonny Smith

The Mini E - or Mini Cooper se to be precise - is Mini's first mass produced electric car. They did make a batch of experimental Mini One EVs in 2009, and whilst they had excellent performance the batteries took up the whole back seat area. 10 years later the latest UK-built British icon has been gifted the electric powertrain of its BMW i3 cousin and a few minor trim tweaks to provide a quicker 0-62 than its Honda e arch rival, as well the Peugeot e208, revised VW e-Up! and Renault Zoe. With a WLTP range of 145 miles, however, is it enough to be a convincing purchase against the other electric hatches in this sub £30,000 supermini class?
Testing the new leccy Mini in the real world is vital, so I drove it on a suitably Mini adventure from Oxfordshire to Swindon to meet up with a classic Austin Rover Mini that can be ordered with fully electric conversion. The Swind-E is the product of Swindon Powertrain, a company who balance hyper e-bike manufacture with BTCC touring car engine building, and soon an off-shelf e-axle electric motor conversion kit to purchase. I will be driving the Swind-E in detail on another episode of CarPervert, as well as a full factory tour of Swindon Powertrain, who in their 50 year lifespan have been involved in F1, WRC and even the forthcoming Lotus Evija EV hypercar project.
Thank you for watching. If you haven't already, click the bell icon to alert you when the next CarPervert video lands.
Filmed by Mark Taylor-Hankins and Nick Poole.
Edited by Mark Taylor-Hankins @inksharkman
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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
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Website: www.carpervert.com
Instagram: / jonnycarpervert
Twitter: / carpervert
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I built the world's quickest street-legal electric car: www.flux-capacitor.co.uk

[@bren106]

Programme makers - "Let's make a half hour show about cars." Jonny - "Hold my beer, I'll make a half hour show about *A* car and ten times better".

[@benjaminmellingen5340]

actually didn't realize I watched this for almost 30min o_O

[@MarkWheadon]

+1 on that. Superb.

[@wordreet]

Yep!

[@ScottEdy]

Amen to that!

[@ZappaTime]

yeah, excellent review and a great tease at the end !

[@eoghanfla6343]

Johnny well done again on going Solo. This is what FC is now missing. A proper wholesome review of a new car. I watched the FC factory tour of the mini E which involved no factory tour! So so glad you stuck with doing these kinds of reviews as well as all the other fun videos you’ve done recently.

[@FFVoyager]

I think Fully Charged is more than just just car reviews though.

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

@@FFVoyager Correct, it is.

[@shrimperlincs3395]

More. We demand more. More any EVs. More of them. Even older ones. Thank you. More.

[@frankieboy302]

I'm glad someone is actually doing videos more on the technical aspects of EV's and not being evangelists for St Greta of Thunberg (like FC)...!

[@DEADB33F]

@@FFVoyager True, it's also a soap-box for Robert to moan about Brexit. ...He even managed to bring it up in his Mini E review.

[@RM-iu6mm]

The fact that Jonny likes both ev’s and ICE cars makes his reviews much better. Too many reviewers are either evangelical about them and scared to call a turd a turd, or they will slate anything that isn’t a V8.

[@richardhoulton4016]

R M It’s range make this car a turd.

[@dwftube]

Watching Jonny doing a car review is like being shown round it by your mate. You get all the useful info without being stiff or sounding like an options list being read. Go Jonny!

[@baconbuttties]

KZbin has become the place where the best reviews of cars are. Johnny Smith and Mark Taylor- Hankins are producing probably the best filmed, edited and presented videos out there.

[@SteveMorton]

Better than anything on main stream TV

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

I like catchpole at carfection and harrysgarage. The volkswizard guy is also very good.

[@Uhmu]

I started this video as someone who would have never considered a Zoe. Best ad ever. Thank you.

[@robsmith1a]

I've had a Zoe three years, great car. The limited range of the Mini would put me off. The issues with a 120-130 mile range is that you won't always get that much and if you are doing an 70 mile each way trip you will have to faff about charging on the way home when all you really want is to get back. I get over 180 miles out of the Zoe ZE40 in the summer if I take it easy. If you have two cars I guess the Mini would be a fun commuter though.

[@dedge12858]

@@robsmith1a Do you still have to lease the battery pack from Renault? Always reduced the appeal for me.

[@robsmith1a]

@@dedge12858 I purchased the battery with my car, it has been an option for quite a while but dealers discouraged it. The ZE50 is only available with full battery purchase and no lease option is available in the UK. If you are thinking of buying one it is worth using a comparison site such as Carwow to get a discount. I notice Mini dealers aren't offering discounts but Renault ones do. Hope this helps.

[@dedge12858]

@@robsmith1a Thanks for the reply. Appreciate it!

[@SteveBUK73]

@@robsmith1a as you say this works better as a 2nd car, which for the most part they are. I think the biggest drawback on an urban car having a short range is that urban dwellers don't tend to have off street parking. This means that they will have to use public chargers more often, which with current infrastructure is a pain. Obviously if you can charge overnight ar home then low range becomes less of an issue.

[@dickiedocker]

Jonny the quality of your videos are top-notch mate. 👌🙏

[@minnesotaboy]

Wonderful! I have a 2005 Cooper S here in the States and it is a joy to drive. I bet I would love one of these electric models.

[@grahamsalmons2027]

Jonny you have a naturally engaging style that speaks to the everyday person. You answer all the questions an Everyman wants to ask. BrillIant video, and channel

[@djlondon7956]

Streets ahead of the other reviews: more info, more fun, more USEFUL all round. 👍

[@simonhorsfield2436]

Not sure the price quoted for a Zoe 50 is right, they appear to start at £25k for base model not £21k. Happy to be proved wrong though!

[@atoossa88]

The comparison to other rivals and the final verdict was so helpful. Thank you!

[@mrknife666]

10:05 that sync!

[@johnnybow7045]

Ohhh dayum... didn't realize it at first. But there is something about his videos that make them exceptional smooth anyways

[@marktaylor-hankins9398]

You noticed! Congratulations! Your prize is in the post. You like cream eggs yeah?

[@folxam]

It's good to see that I'm not the only silly one :)

[@DiscoFang]

Snap.

[@Richardincancale]

Good review and very nice production. I liked the comparison sidebars spread throughout the video - good stuff!

[@SimsAndStuff]

Having been a car show fan for a lot of years i have to say that is one of the best car reviews i have ever seen. i love the way you did the stats, the information was to the point, it was interesting, entertaining, and something those bigger tv and YT channels should be scared of. more like that, yes please.

[@harryc266]

Lovely to see a 3 door. The cooper should always be one. The could have easily started this at 30k but lovely at 24k. I think they’ll sell loads.

[@sl1kr1ky]

FC are really missing you ! The two videos are not comparable. Great work Jonny and crew

[@philreilly6959]

Hi Jonny, I thought that when you left FC and Robert, you might have been leaving all things electric behind. So good to see that you haven't! The simple reason is that your reviews are quite simply the best (cue for music!)!!! I'm enjoying carpervert. I never know what's coming next!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Phil, many thanks for the comment. Me deciding to leave Fully Charged certainly has not signalled me stopping EV driving and reviewing. Quite the opposite. Watch this space.

[@jywn]

one of the best if not the best review of the MINI Se on youtube, wonder why you aren't getting as much or more views than most of the other reviews here

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Thank you v much. I guess it takes time to build the brand and attract bigger views. Or maybe don't want a detailed view on cars.

[@jrushen4235]

One of the best reviews I've seen anywhere. Honest, informative with an easy natural style without trying to be clever. Thanks.

[@Steeve9292]

Rapidly becoming one of my favourite channels - top work, as always, Mr Smith.

[@ewadge]

Great review. Love everything about it. Filming, presenting, the lot. Well done.

[@mhilmyfauzi4523]

Ok that last bit got me really excited, can't wait for the video about ev conversions in general.

[@PiknP99]

You are without a doubt the best car reviewer I've ever watched on KZbin mate. So informative, fun and great editing. Fun opinions and lots of real world data. Keep it up mate I look forward to future uploads. I'm not even in the market for a Mini E but I watched every single second of this video. Thanks mate!

[@dogsdinner99]

Great extremely comprehensive and informative review, from someone who is actually excited by cars, and about a 1000% better than another certain recent review of the Mini E.

[@grekhora]

0:30 So that's where Dave Chappelle is.

[@aliyusx]

I caught a glimpse too.... its him :D

[@seanmurtagh9859]

😂😂😂 he literally looks like he is juking about the place trying to hide 😂😂

[@carlosgaspar8447]

uncanny.

[@Goozoo965]

I had to go back and pause to have a second look lol

[@MrHungrySimon]

My thoughts exactly :D

[@davidsommen1324]

Great video and review. High production value, very informative and entertaining at the same time. Your channel is definitely a very good addition to the car channel spectrum. Personally I am only interested in EV videos as I don't love ICE cars, but that's the great thing, the choice your channel provides. Keep it up!

[@daveg56]

Excellent all round, these are the kind of reviews that are so helpful and educational. Top marks for the production too.

[@simonpritchard472]

Excellent and informative review -- on-screen comparisons to competitors very useful. Thanks Jonny!

[@Bruuman]

I dare you to make a James Bond inspired intro. I'm a Pervert, Car Pervert. 😂

[@ProfWereW]

When he says "fully charged" I felt like the kid in a divorce.

[@dlittlester]

I've been speculating about that, but I didn't want to question. Thought something must have happened.

[@EndlessPlane]

@@dlittlester scuttlebutt is Johnny wanted to be able to cover hybrids and other non full electric cars. Robert said no. End of story. Wish they would still do the podcast together though.

[@jpgmccabe]

Fully Charged was never this good. End Of! Watching the odd episode or two, felt like trying to be converted to some blind EV religious lunacy by a strange cult leader.....RUN! ahahaha

[@jpgmccabe]

Fully Charged was never this good. End Of! Watching the odd episode or two, felt like trying to be converted to some blind EV religious lunacy by a strange cult leader.....RUN! ahahaha

[@reeftank706]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqrWqK2Zeaidrqcstart=1402

[@SteveMorton]

Excellent video Jonny, loved the format with all the various comparisons. You are the best out there for this sort of thing. Thank you.

[@brucekennedy5274]

Fab review. Super positive, honest and full of useful comparison info. I love all your new stuff, but this is my favourite vid to date.

[@MarkWheadon]

I love the mixture of information and enthusiasm. Nice one 😃

[@TheSheepnr1]

Can't wait to see more of the Swind-E!!

[@DiscoFang]

Wonder if they'll do an LE version.

[@fraserwright9482]

£80,000 for the Swind E

[@JimWattsHereNow]

What an excellent review Johnny, and the teaser of the ev convert at the end, brilliant. Love it.

[@JohnBaxendale]

Awesome review, absolutely chock full of information. Best I've seen on the Mini, this channel keeps on getting better!

[@hathaway.1166]

That Swindon e at the end is the kind of electric car I would get anyday.

[@olik136]

until you see the price- £79,000...

[@testacorsa150]

@@olik136 You must be kinng?!

[@jfv65]

NO, not for me. The car body is still old antiquated 60's tech. In modern everyday use i MUCH prefer the modern mini-E with it's airbags, ABS, aircon, etc.

[@scottarnold2107]

Jonny, great review. Loving your break away channel. This style of review, really is your forté. Been following your antics since the chip fat 190e. 🤟

[@ChrisBWelch]

What a great review! Extremely thorough and detailed information on what's clearly a fantastic drivers car. I know what I'm ordering!

[@0tedaCecapS]

All the electric car comparisons are very useful, cheers Jonny and team, great work

[@moke1310]

Had the misfortune to be "upgraded" to an Audi A1 once. Four doors where two belonged. Had to tilt head to see round B pillar. Small cars and two doors work together.

[@Mikeysnelgar]

See! Min-E makes much more sense as a name 😅 great work as always! It’s good to see that sub count ticking up.

[@pjoutdoorservices775]

AND THAT RIGHT THERE IS HOW YOU DO A CAR REVIEW!!! Well done Johnny what an excellent piece of content!! Really made me fancy one.... I mean who doesn’t love a good hot hatch!? really brilliant video mate.

[@humphshumphs]

Bloody brilliant video. Brilliant honest review giving lots of info, and what I liked is the fact that you didn't make a big thing that the car wasn't designed as an EV, but built to be ICE or EV (which I personally think is the best way.)

[@davidhumphries3614]

humphshumphs Best was the multiple comparisons of the similar EV’s.

[@jonathanteagle]

Now THAT is how to review a new Mini. 10/10.

[@dvmien]

Your video production quality has gone up! Great work

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

The best, most enjoyable, watchable and informative car review I've seen in a very long time. Great work Johnny

[@TheBasqueWasp]

Great video, fun to watch but helpful too... Never seen such a good comparative of small-class EVs. Thanks for sharing

[@DigitalPRCourses]

Rapidly becoming the best KZbin Car “influencer” ... I’ll buy one now 🤓

[@watcher24601]

Excellent video, I saw the FC version before, I am so glad that you did a proper comparison and review with quality editing. Even made me consider a mini for the first time ever. Better looking than the Honda too, especially from the front. FC seems a bit lost without your balance

[@hankthetank185]

Great review as always Jonny. Hope you can do more reviews like this. Love your attention to detail.

[@summerjunk929]

Absolutely smashing it with these high quality reviews!

[@nr5494]

Excellent review Johnny, and the on screen comparisons were superb. I watched another review recently (FC-cough) which left me wanting more. Now, having coined the excellent term ‘piston car’, can you come up with a new term for ‘throttle response’, which doesn’t hark back to steam or butterfly valves?

[@zapfanzapfan]

24:55 When you realize that the new Mini isn't really that mini anymore... can't wait to see the test drive of the converted old one!

[@andrewmorgan1819]

I have never seen these as a Mini and for me it was proven at around 6 minutes for me, when he showed the boot space :) The best looking Mini for me was the 1275 GT..

[@carlouis1]

The way you do these reviews are enjoyable. Keep it up.

[@andyrads1096]

Best review of the Mini E I have seen so far. Always like your informed and honest reviews, so much so that after watching your review of the Peugeot e208 we went and ordered one! Might have to get a Mini now...especially as I used to own a Mini One which probably gave me the best drive of any car I have owned.

[@tuc-dh4df]

Nice vid Jonny, I think Fully charged is missing a professional car guy!

[@SirNecro]

Id love BMW to do a Clubman version utilising all that back floor space for a 60Kw battery pack

[@Thoughmuchistaken]

Solid look at the feature car, and great comparison with its competitors. Top work fellas. ... And the tease at the end!

[@drdoolittle5724]

Thought you were a star when you first appeared on our screens all those years ago but now, you are just brilliant!

[@shrimperlincs3395]

Please, start again at 25min and cover that EV convert in detail.

[@joshikun7177]

Hey Jonny, I would love to know what you would choose the Mini electric or the Honda E and if you would actually buy one of them. designwise i like the honda E a lot more and I like that Honda made it on a whole new platform, but I haven`t been around either of them let alone drive them, so I´d be really interested which you think is better and which you would buy. Loved the video, great content as always, keep it up :)

[@liamedwards2517]

Loved the vid, very well done. Keep up the great work Jonny.

[@kiae-nirodiaries1279]

Love the ending of this Jonny...I grew up in Swindon in the 60’s and 70s and went to school about 300 yards from where Swindon Powertrain are now..Nice shot of the WH Smith building where my Mum worked in the 1970s...thanks for setting off those memories.

[@ADApgs]

Hi Jonny! We are waiting for a review on the new Citroen Ami! Plz)

[@WillBecker]

Oh Jonny! I wish you could have worked things out with Robert.

[@Cloxxki]

Oh well, his other car reviews are worth watching as well, even if they come with an exhaust pipe. Especially hybrids are a great way to reduce emissions both from the factory and from the tailpipe. Most people can do 90% of their driving on electric alone even with just super short range. Because only arses go live an hour away from work.

[@ChrisPurdy]

Fantastic review and road test Jonny. Great filming and editing Mark & Nick. Simply superb. Great comparison to the other 'super-mini' EVs too! excuse me, I'm off to investigate the Swind E-classic

[@jpmackin]

My wife and I can’t wait for ours, and your review has been the best of them all on KZbin!

[@davidanddeborahcohen5341]

I still like Fully Charged, but when it comes to actually talking about the cars Jonny Smith is far more knowledgeable & entertaining, making for a much better video.

[@jrgenramdahl123]

In february, 50% of all new car in Norway was pure electric.. The other 50%, most were hybrids....

[@DiscoFang]

And 50% of the price of every other type of car was an added tax to discourage buyers. So no surprises there.

[@derKameramann]

It´s a steering effekt done by massive Taxes (they do a special+50% tax on new Cars since ancient times) ---- exept ... tataaa ... E-Powered ones. PLUS no Extra Fees on E- Cars alt all! No City-Toll. No Fee on Toll-Roads or Tunnels. Free Parking in Parkingfee Areas. No VAT. No Car-Taxes. Free Charging. You want to buy an E-Car in Norway because it´s dumb buying a Piston-Car. Ore you are awsome-rich. On the other Hand nowhere else you have a Market with such a significant amount of real good European Youngtimers, American Oldies and E-Cars of all Kind than in the Scandinavian Countries. Because these are a steal in tax-wise comparison with new Piston-Car´s.

[@jrgenramdahl123]

@@DiscoFang wrong... They have not added cost to other cars... Electric has no tax and hybrids has low tax... Fuel cars are like always....

[@rhyslatham3439]

You are ready are trusted to give great review, the cliff hanger at the end was genius!

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

Cheers!

[@steveandrews5336]

Great great vid. Love the “numbers” bit with graphics and comparisons to the competition but also the “emotional” aspects of feel that is different in each car. If Johnny Marr is the king of indie guitar then Jonny Smith is the king of e car vids?

[@colinchandler1500]

Can't wait until e-conversion kits become readily available at affordable prices. I can imagine a real cottage industry of tinkerers like me converting end of life motors into space cadet wagons ...

[@DogsBAwesome]

I'm probably going to go for an e-208, if this had a bit more range I may have broken my vow never to buy a not mini new mini.

[@DogsBAwesome]

@john simmons I'm not going do buy something that doesn't fit my needs just because it's built in the UK

[@MaddRIP1]

Another excellent, witty, informative and easy to watch review. Well done!

[@APMX5]

Great channel. I've enjoyed everyone so far. Thanks

[@DavidMBanes]

Great its three door, as 50 something with no need for rear seats except for shopping 5 doors are not something we look at. Saying that it's getting harder to find good 3 door cars. So I agree with you, the three door looks better.

[@dumdumbrown4225]

“Good roads ...bad surfaces” 😂 very emotionally UK-ish. An emotionally charged review - still, the Mini’s interior seems rather Stone Age next to the Honda E

[@marky5882]

Excellent piece of work, I love seeing how quickly this sector is moving on....... and Renault will be delighted with this review!

[@nlanca1]

Very good review - many thanks. I like the fact that with this electric version the weight of controls and maneuverability that make the modern Minis proper driver's cars is still apparent. I drive a standard Cooper and BMW know how to do this very well.

[@LiamE69]

I've said it before. That yellow crap is incongruous and looks like a zit on the front of the car.

[@MegaNayton]

All the yellow badges would be coming off if I ever got one. It's stupid to put stuff on that stands out so badly like them

[@stephen300o6]

Yeah, you said that before. But folks have their own opinion.

[@LiamE69]

@@stephen300o6 Other folk are wrong, obviously. Only someone that is colourblind would think it is a good idea.

[@Barefoot_Joe]

Fugly is the correct term I believe ;) Ruined a car that needed love

[@demonhighwayman9403]

Dammit that's what I see now ! I used to wonder what pacman had to do with mini's or electric cars but now I see its a zit :(

[@ThumbofEpicness]

23:24 still promoting his old employers I see ;)

[@brettsta72]

Brilliant video Jonny. Keep it up. Enjoyed a lot.

[@Zimpaz]

Showed this video to my friend who only buys minis. She said “lovely but I need more range”. Don’t think she ever leaves the county. People are funny

[@DocKhan]

I don't mind the idea of an electric Mini. I think, if executed well, a small and nippy electric car would be great for city dwellers. I do, however, mind this electric Mini. You cannot convert an ICE car into an electric car and expect it to look great, and run efficiently. I can understand that these are cost saving measures as developing a separate chassis can be prohibitively expensive, but the end result speaks volumes of the compromises made. With its not-at-all-mini size, raised ride height, and that botched eyesore of a grill, the Mini E looks like a conversion done in a shed by an electric car enthusiast. It does not look like a product of an established car manufacturer. Which is a shame, because I would have loved an electric mini Mini.

[@JohnnyZenith]

In the future we will see proper dedicated electric minis I hope. Oh and i'm fed up of being told this is the best looking Mini. This is nowhere near as good looking as my all black (red bits) 2018 JCW. Nowhere near.

[@js-hl5hv]

They should have just done what honda did, and design a ground up EV that is heavier, slower, has less range and costs more. Seriously though, it is a master stroke of engineering which has produced a really good car in all respects, except range. For most people, even that won't be a problem. For a day to day city/commuter car that leaves you with a smile on your face, the mini is top of the pile.

[@PJDuffield]

I hope you can delete that horrible yellow badge and they should really offer another grill option I’m okay with the purposed designed bumpers with no grill but this grill looks very much like a afterthought and it looks odd in this classic design.

[@randomazman]

Great review. Excellent editing and presentation. Miss you on FC. Looks to me like you’ll be busier with this channel than ever. All good luck.

[@Hunga_Bunga]

Another absolute banger of a video. Has it all, great shots, great audio, and an awesome host to keep me interested. Well done!

[@barryhaeger4284]

The audio was particularly pro absolutely same level and quality throughout the edit. I do notice this professional polish

[@TheLateBrakeShow]

I have Mark Hankins (@inksharkman) to thank for that.

[@JunkVWs]

Those electric grills always look so stupid. Would definitely swap it for a normal grill, if that's even possible

[@Destide]

I can't see them using different clips should be a quick swap.

[@Nemoticon]

@GeeKIller Nah, the difference is so marginal you'd never ever notice the difference. You'd have a bigger effect taking the door mirrors off and even then it is still marginal.

[@Nemoticon]

@GeeKIller depends on the mirrors and the grill... and the average speeds the car is being driven at. People who mostly do short journeys in rural areas will never see the benefits of better aerodynamics. Context is everything.

[@kraenk12]

“Engineered and developed in Britain”...well, you can try to tell yourself that.... I’m curious if BMW will move production out of Britain too, after Brexit.

[@HidingAllTheWay]

Considering the UK is apparently Mini's largest market it's not very likely.

[@kraenk12]

@@HidingAllTheWay I doiubt very much it's larger than the rest of the EU lol.

[@UncIeMJ]

Thank you, Sir. This car is 100% German.

[@trevorwhite915]

Thanks for the video I would truly love one of these, I haven driven a new Mini ,but have fond memories of the originals.

[@normangebhardt2092]

Enjoy your quality car videos. Please make more like this one.

[@martindumais2883]

OMG you got me at the retrofit version... I can't wait to see the next one!

[@RacheldeGraaff]

Compliment to Johnny and all crews. Love the review and I know exactly what car I will buy.

[@UKRussellSmith]

Love the format of your videos. Cheers Jonny 👍

[@Olli.Oikarinen]

Comparison with other cars was really good. You make the best electric car review videos.👍

[@paultaylor701]

Good stuff Jonny, hope you are being amply rewarded, so you can continue.

[@RamonGT]

The best review. Thank you! I really enjoyed it.

[@Waciglass]

You are a tease. Just waiting now for the old electric Mini episode. Great Review Jonny.

[@imnotamechanic3491]

Great video - I think its really good that you evaluate the car against competitors throughout. This is particularly important with EV's where range is so crucial to some people to the extent that some cars will just not do their daily mileage (magazines tend to brush this aside). I'm not in the market for a car like this, but anyone who is now knows what else to consider - so many journalists forget that real people have a budget and whilst one car might be in their eyes 'worth the extra £5k', its a moot point if you as the buyer doesn't have that extra. I can't wait for the SwindE review, and excited to see what they will be offering for DIY classic conversions. Keep up the good work!