Our cars Making a good first impression
Our 2024 Business Car of the Year has joined the long-term fleet in electric form and is already making a good impression.
Why we’re running it
To see how our 2024 ‘Company Car of The Year’ works for fleet.
Martyn Collins
We’re not usually lucky enough to be running the ‘Business Car of The Year’ at the same time it’s announced – but this a happy coincidence. This is not my first experience of the all-new JO1 electric Mini, as following the UK drive at the end of June, I spent three weeks in the range-topping ‘Sport’, after giving back our long-term BMW i5. I wasn’t totally convinced by the sporty ‘John Cooper Works’ body additions, but it was great fun to drive, and the range was a big improvement over the last electric Mini.
Mini Cooper SE
P11D £38,645 Price as tested £39,220 Official range 250 miles Average consumption 3.0miles/kWh Mileage 1,250 miles
I was sorry when it went back but looked forward to the arrival of our own car at the start of August. Having visited the dealer on launch weekend and witnessing this colour, it was a no-brainer that I was going to go for a car in ‘Bursting Blue’ (a £550 option), when it was offered. This meant our
car would be in the more luxurious ‘Exclusive’ specification, with what I thought was more a classic modern Mini style, that in my opinion looks great – with the white roof and mirrors. I was also a fan of the 18in Slide Spoke wheels (another £550 option), so was very pleased to find these also fitted. Inside, I wouldn’t have chosen the beige colour of the Vescin faux leather trim, as like the light woollen interior and dash trim, I think they will both mark. In fact, with just 650 miles when delivered, our car’s door cards were already marked by previous dirty fingers! Still, the seats themselves, are the JCW sports seats upgrade (part of the £2,000 Exclusive pack), which have proved to be comfortable and supportive.
Highlight of our Mini’s interior must be the central circular OLED infotainment screen, which despite a couple of kinks – in general has worked well. I say generally, as after a McDonald’s breakfast pit stop on its first long trip to Brighton, it didn’t want to log into my profile or connect to my phone – which was frustrating after what otherwise
was an easy trip. It has done the same a couple of times since, and I now have a set routine when starting to make sure this doesn’t happen. Talking of the drive, as you’d expect of a Mini, it’s a highlight. I thought the Cooper’s steering was too light at first, but after spending time in other cars, I’ve changed my mind. Instead, it’s precise and has a good weight. The same is true of the handling, with a keen turn-in, and a lack of body roll in corners the real highlights. Although you can feel the weight of the battery – especially at low speeds. With 218hp, it’s a punchy performer – yet is reasonably efficient – unless driven hard. This is difficult, as its linea acceleration is already becoming addictive. Gripes? Despite selfishly enjoying the sportiness of a three-door hatch, offering the Cooper SE as a five-door would certainly help me when I’m transporting my kids around. Our Exclusive trim has a glass sunroof, but unlike ICE models (based on the previous third-generation Mini) it doesn’t open – which is a shame. We were told this was because of the weight of the mechanism. I appreciate a sunroof that opens, so would happily do without it! Finally, the strings of the rear parcel shelf are too long – meaning the shelf itself doesn’t lift when you open the boot. Overall, a good start – as I’ve fallen for this Mini big time, and I’m looking forward to spending more time in our Cooper SE over the coming months.
Standard equipment: LED head and rear taillights, 16in alloy wheels, MINI OLED display, DAB radio, MINI Driving Modes, two-zone automatic climate control, dynamic cruise control, parking assistant and rear camera, Apple Car Play and Android Auto integration.
Optional equipment: Blazing Blue Paint (£550) 18in Slide Spoke alloy wheels (£550),
Exclusive trim (£2,200), Level 2 Pack (£2,000)
www.businesscar.co.uk | September/October 2024 | 47
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