Small but Mighty: Test Driving the All-Electric MINI Cooper in Seoul

Heritage Meets Innovation

Stepping into the all-electric MINI Cooper at Seoul Station’s BMW Charging Hub felt like time travel reimagined with a futuristic twist.
Classic round headlights, an octagonal grille and Union Jack taillights remain as playful nods to MINI’s legacy, while a stripped-back cabin emphasizes essentials like the toggle bar and fabric-strap steering wheel.
Front and center sits a 240 mm round OLED display co-developed with Samsung Display, handling instruments, navigation, climate and infotainment in one swoop.
Didn’t expect a giant circular screen to feel so intuitive and responsive during every tap and swipe

Urban Drive to Incheon

A 60 km run from downtown Seoul to Incheon’s BMW Driving Center showcased the Cooper’s lively spirit.
Say hi to the car and state your destination to see navigation spring to life on that round display, then twist the retro-styled key switch to wake the motor.
With 218 hp and 33.7 kg·m of torque up front, the Cooper rockets from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds while a 54.2 kWh battery promises 300 km per charge.
Regenerative braking in B-mode eased stop-and-go fatigue, though some bloggers missed ventilated seats and noted that cabin noise was a touch higher than rival EVs

JCW: Go-Kart Mode Unleashed

On the track, the JCW variant cranked excitement up a notch.
With 258 hp, 35.7 kg·m of torque and JCW-tuned suspension, cornering felt smoother and crisper than the standard Cooper.
Engage go-kart mode via the boost paddles on the wheel to unlock an extra 27 hp for ten seconds, dropping zero-to-100 km/h time to 5.9 seconds.
High-performance sports brakes and a firmer steering feedback brought a smile to seasoned enthusiasts and local track-day bloggers alike

Cultural Context & Community Buzz

Mini Korea’s full electrification strategy reflects South Korea’s rapid embrace of compact EVs, supported by dense charging infrastructure and government incentives.
Community reaction on Naver and Tistory blogs has been enthusiastic, with over two-thirds of posts praising the OLED display and go-kart feel, while some drivers lamented the lack of ventilated seats and slightly higher road noise.
For overseas fans, it’s a reminder that Korean EV culture blends cutting-edge tech with deep respect for heritage design, making the all-electric MINI Cooper an emblem of Seoul’s forward-looking yet tradition-steeped automotive spirit