The Mini Cooper E Paul Smith Edition is not trying to win on the biggest numbers in the segment. It does not have the largest battery, SUV-level range or family-car practicality. Instead it bets on something many modern EVs have lost: personality.
Our test car is the Mini Cooper E Paul Smith Edition — the base electric Cooper with a special design pack. It has 184 hp, 290 Nm, front-wheel drive, 36.6 kWh usable battery and 289–300 km WLTP range depending on configuration.
On paper Cooper E is not the headline spec; Cooper SE adds power and range. Cooper E keeps the Mini recipe in a lighter, more accessible, city-focused form. Paul Smith turns it into a design object — something that looks, feels and reads differently from a default small EV.
In Romania, Mini Cooper E starts at €27,450; Paul Smith Edition lists at €32,861. A current €2,000 offer brings the price to €30,861 — shifting the value conversation.
Pricing in Romania
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| Mini Cooper E standard | €27,450 |
| Mini Cooper E Paul Smith Edition | €32,861 |
| Current model offer | −€2,000 |
| Price with offer | €30,861 |
The Paul Smith premium is €5,411 before incentives — not just paint and badges, but a full visual identity inside and out.
At €30,861 with offer, the case strengthens if you want a premium city EV with distinct design rather than maximum kWh per euro.
You do not buy this Mini for the best €/kWh ratio; you buy it because the car should say something about you.
What Paul Smith adds
Special exterior colours (Inspired White, Statement Grey, Midnight Black), Nottingham Green accents on body elements, dedicated roof and mirror colours by config, 18-inch specific wheels, grille and mirror-cap details, Paul Smith signature, Nightshade Blue sport seats, modern textiles and inserts, bespoke circular OLED graphics, “Hello” door projection, “Every day is a new beginning” sill message, playful “Rabbit” graphics.
It stays expressive without shouting — details reveal themselves over time, which is what a good special edition should do.
Exterior
Compact proportions, wheels near the corners, instantly recognisable Mini silhouette. Cleaner surfaces and clearer lamps on the new generation let Paul Smith details breathe. Nottingham Green on roof, mirrors and grille outline gives identity without excess. Premium urban, relaxed and fashion-adjacent rather than stiff German status signalling.
Interior
Minimalist dash, central circular OLED, not an screen overload. Paul Smith Nightshade Blue seats, textiles and inserts create a young, urban premium mood — not classic thick leather. Door “Hello” projection and sill message fit Mini humour. Many functions moved to the screen: beautiful but less immediate than physical buttons until you adapt.
Technical specification
| Item | Cooper E Paul Smith Edition |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Electric |
| Power | 184 hp / 135 kW |
| Torque | ~290 Nm |
| Drive | Front |
| Usable battery | 36.6 kWh |
| Gross battery | 40.7 kWh |
| WLTP range | 289–300 km |
| 0–100 km/h | ~7.3 s |
| WLTP consumption | ~13.8–14.3 kWh/100 km |
| AC charge | up to 11 kW |
| DC charge | up to 75 kW |
| DC 10–80% | ~28 min |
| Top speed | ~160 km/h |
| Boot | ~210 l |
| Seats | 4 |
Cooper E targets city, commute and daily use — experience over headline figures.
Driving
Fast reactions, easy control, premium urban EV feel. 184 hp is enough in a compact car: instant step-off, no gearbox delay. SE has more reserve at high speed; in town Cooper E feels lively.
Quick steering, low battery, compact body — stable without feeling heavy. Some go-kart DNA remains; firm suspension on 18-inch wheels on bad roads. Not a soft cruiser — it is still a Mini.
In the city
Compact size pays off in Bucharest: easy parking, no excess metal. Silent low-speed running and low running costs if you charge at home or work. Relaxing yet not boring — Paul Smith adds style to the routine.
Long trips
WLTP 289–300 km covers city and short trips; frequent motorway use needs planning. DC 75 kW and ~28 min 10–80% help, but this is not a long-holiday EV. Weekend escapes and peri-urban routes fit; regular 500–700 km runs suit larger batteries.
Consumption
Official 13.8–14.3 kWh/100 km WLTP; real use varies by speed and temperature. Urban driving with regeneration can be very efficient; motorway speeds drain the smaller pack faster. Home charging keeps daily costs modest for a premium badge.
Ownership meaning
A taste choice — design, detail and personality over SUV image. In a sea of similar fast silent EVs, Paul Smith Edition has charm: commute, coffee run, small parking space, glance back after locking.
Pros
- Integrated special design; real Paul Smith details
- Strong value at €30,861 with offer
- 184 hp sufficient for city; WLTP 289–300 km
- Easy to park; modern distinct interior
- Premium without ostentation; good home-charging economics
Cons
- Modest long-trip range; small boot; four seats only
- Tight rear; firm on poor roads
- Not ideal for frequent motorway or families
- Screen-heavy controls; €5,411+ over standard Cooper E
Who it suits
Urban and peri-urban drivers who charge at home or work, want a compact premium EV with identity, and prioritise style over maximum range. Less suited to families, soft-riding priorities, or motorway-heavy schedules.
Rivals
| Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fiat 500e | Smaller, stylish, less practical |
| Volvo EX30 | More space and power, less playful |
| Smart #1 | More practical, less Mini character |
| Jeep Avenger Electric | Higher urban SUV stance |
| Renault 5 E-Tech | Retro-modern, different positioning |
| Mini Cooper SE | More range and power, higher price |
Paul Smith Edition wins on lifestyle character more than spreadsheets.
FAQ
Price in Romania? E from €27,450; Paul Smith €32,861; €30,861 with €2,000 offer.
Paul Smith premium? €5,411 before offer.
Range? WLTP 289–300 km; real-world varies.
Power? 184 hp / 135 kW, ~290 Nm, FWD.
0–100 km/h? ~7.3 s.
Charging? DC 10–80% ~28 min; AC up to 11 kW.
City use? Excellent.
Long trips? Possible occasionally, not the core mission.
Worth it? Yes if you want a distinct premium city EV; less so for maximum range or space.
Verdict
The Mini Cooper E Paul Smith Edition is one of the most personable premium city EVs on sale. It is not the most practical or longest-range choice, nor a universal car — and it does not need to be.
It wins on looks, city feel and how it reframes daily driving. Paul Smith integration fits Mini’s humour and detail obsession. At €30,861 with the current €2,000 offer, the math improves sharply.
Verdict: Not for buyers chasing the biggest numbers — for those who want style, charm and urban personality. At €30,861 with offer, Paul Smith starts to make strong sense.
