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The Mini Cooper is one of the coolest cars that money can buy and has been so for decades. Now, the Mini Cooper SE Convertible Concept makes it cooler

If we take a look back at the history of cars, the Mini is one of the most iconic models to go on sale. It was the car that always stood out amongst the rest and did things differently. Fast-forward to today, and almost every automaker is either working on or has a 2022 electric car in its lineup. Mini has already showcased their electric version offering, called the Mini Cooper SE. And they did not stop there as now, the iconic carmaker has gone ahead and come out with a one-off Mini Cooper SE Convertible Concept that is similar to the Mini Cooper SE in almost every way, except that it can fold away its roof to become cooler in a matter of seconds.

This one-off concept shows what an electric drop-top version of the Mini Cooper S will be like and comes as a sweet surprise for Mini fans, who the company has been trying to make up to following the delivery delays. We have already driven the hot version of the car, the Mini Cooper JCW, and found it to be full of character. Mini then went on to come out with perhaps the hottest version of the Mini yet, called the Mini JCW 24h Nurburgring Race Edition which is absolutely bonkers.

But all of that aside, the Mini Cooper SE Convertible Concept is undoubtedly a cool and futuristic take on everything that we love about Mini.

Except for the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, we all can unanimously agree that a convertible is way cooler than any other hardtop car that it is based on, no matter the size or segment. And the Mini Cooper SE Convertible is no different. What makes it even cooler is the fact that this is the only car in the world that brings the premium convertible hatchback approach to the world of electric vehicles. This truly lets you be “one with the elements” as there is no roaring exhaust note to come in between the passengers of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible and the sunshine, greenery, or whatever view it is lying ahead, and above.

The Mini Cooper SE Convertible concept is based on the Mini Cooper S Convertible and as compared to the already existing Mini Cooper SE, the electric convertible concept continues to have the same dimensions. The concept model measures 152 inches in length, 68-inches in width, and has a height of 92 inches. The wheelbase is also identical at 92 inches and so is the trunk capacity which stays at 5.6 cubic-feet.

As for the roof, the power-operated mechanism can open and close it within 18 seconds and can do so at speeds up to 19 miles per hour.

What truly stands out at first glance, though, is what Mini has written all around the car, barring the front. It says “This Toy Is Electric” and it is sure to divide opinions. Some may find it to be too loud but an electric convertible Mini Cooper is so unique, that it is perhaps the only car that we can imagine that could carry something like this without looking cringe.

Related: Watch This Modified Ford Mustang GT Take On A Mini With A Hayabusa Engine

On the inside of the Mini Cooper SE Convertible Concept, what you find is a familiar cabin design that sticks true to the essential elements that make it iconic. The toggle-style switches to start the car are our favorite and interestingly, while it is colored red in the Mini Cooper, it comes colored green in the Mini Cooper SE - a nice touch.

The car also has a huge circular design element in the middle of the dash housing the touchscreen infotainment system and is a design element that can be seen on all generations of the Mini over all these decades.

Related: Mr Bean’s Most Memorable Moments With His Iconic Green 1977 Mini

Lastly, the Mini Cooper SE Convertible is powered by the same powertrain that does duty on the Mini Cooper SE hardtop. In the SE Convertible Concept, it makes 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque making the little electric hatchback capable of doing 0-62 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds. This is only marginally slower than the SE hardtop which takes 7.3 seconds to do the same. On a full charge, the SE Convertible has a range of 114 miles as determined on the EPA test cycle.

The one-off Mini Cooper SE Convertible concept will be shown to the public at the “Mini Takes the States” community event in the USA. The Mini Cooper SE is already a hit in Germany, which also happens to be the car’s biggest market, and with the addition of a concept that shows just how interesting the SE can be, we are excited to see what Mini comes out with in the future.

Source: Mini USA, BMW Group

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