MINI will debut all-electric convertible at Shanghai Auto Show

The 2023 Shanghai Auto Show is celebrating its 20th edition. It is just days away and all automakers are preparing to dazzle the world with future electric cars. BMW is not to be outdone and its Mini brand is bringing two electric vehicles to the show and a new digital companion.

Mini Cooper SE Convertible will have its global premiere at the show. The company touts the car as the first “premium convertible in the small car segment.” The vehicle was first unveiled in February but the Shanghai Auto Show presents an opportunity for the public to actually see the car in person.

The first electric convertible from Mini comes with a 184hp electric motor sitting at the front. The 32.6kWh battery provides a WLTP-certified range of 201km (125mi). The car isn’t the lightest and as a result, it takes 8.2 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100km/h. It will be available in a limited run of 999 units and will come with a €60,000 price tag.

The second electric car that Mini is bringing to Shanghai is the Aceman. It’s a surprising move because the concept car was unveiled last July. We would have expected Mini to unveil the electric Countryman officially, but the company decided to keep the car away from the public eye for a little bit longer.

Mini Aceman presents the new design language from the company and as such was the preview of the all-electric Countryman. Full of clever solutions and new technology, Aceman is very refreshing. Unfortunately, it was never meant to become a production model - unless Mini changed its mind.

The third and final product Mini is bringing to Shanghai is Spike. It is the new digital assistant that will be embedded in all new Mini vehicles. Spike is a digital version of the company mascot and apparently has been modeled on English Bulldog.

At the show, Spike will be presented as a giant sculpture welcoming visitors to the MINI stand. In the vehicle though, Spike will live on the new circular display, where it will create new experiences for Mini owners. We can expect some mischievous behavior, but how quickly will the novelty wear off?

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