3 weeks ago
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The entry-level 'E' versions of the new electric Mini Cooper and Aceman are destined for the chopping block – but prices have been slashed by up to $11,500 on the way out.
Electric Cars
Mini is preparing to pull the plug on its two most affordable electric vehicles – the 2025 Mini Cooper E and Aceman E – months after they arrived in showrooms to focus on more expensive variants.
To help get the final batches of stock out the door, Mini has rolled out nationwide drive-away prices that amount to discounts of $7500 to $11,500 on the Cooper E Classic three-door and Aceman E Classic five-door.
Production of the two entry-level Mini electric vehicles (EVs) is due to end in March 2025, despite only arriving in local showrooms in July and October 2024 respectively.
More expensive SE and John Cooper Works variants of each car will remain available. The company has not stated the reasoning for dropping the base E grades.
The discounts see the Cooper E Classic start from $49,990 drive-away nationwide, and the Aceman E Classic from $51,990 drive-away – down from regular state-by-state drive-away prices of about $57,500 to $61,500 for the Cooper, and $59,500 to $63,500 for the Aceman.
Once the last base-model stock is sold, the price of entry into an electric Mini will surge from $50,000 drive-away, to between $62,500 and $66,500 drive-away for a Cooper SE – or $64,500 to $68,500 drive-away for an Aceman SE.
Both E variants share a 135kW/290Nm front electric motor.
The SE versions of both cars upgrade to a larger 54.2kWh battery enabling more than 400km of claimed driving range, as well as more power (160kW).
The $5000 premium attracted by the SE variants also adds features, including a power-adjustable driver's seat, Harman Kardon premium audio, and leather-look upholstery.
It would appear the aggressive discounts – up to 23 per cent on models launched less than six months ago – contradict recent comments by Mini Australia on the importance of not cutting prices.
However, the company says the special offers are specific to the run-out variants, and will expire once stock is sold out.
"These special drive-away prices for the Mini Cooper E and Mini Aceman E are unique and separate to our overall pricing strategy for new cars," Alexander Brockhoff, General Manager of Mini Australia and New Zealand, said in a media statement.
"Together with our dealer partners, we’ve introduced a special all-inclusive pricing position to provide prospective owners with an attractive offer on highly specified, entry-level battery electric vehicle (BEV) models.
"The listed drive-away pricing for the Cooper E and Aceman E on our website is associated with their end of production date, scheduled for March 2025. These prices will remain until all stock is sold.
"The SE and John Cooper Works variants will continue to be available for customers interest in an Aceman or an all-electric Cooper."
"If you just bought a Tesla a year ago at whatever [price] it was, and now it's whatever much cheaper? You probably don't feel so good.
"So that stability is really important with this new generation of [Mini] cars. Playing with pricing can have big consequences with stuff like [customer satisfaction and resale value]."
The Mini executive acknowledged the brand "can't live in a bubble" and must "keep an eye on what the market is doing," but said "particularly with a car that's just launched, it's just got here, that pricing stability is very important."
Electric Cars Guide
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
