MINI Electric 2021: details, pictures and on-sale date of facelift model

It only launched during 2020, but the MINI Electric (along with its petrol-engined equivalent) is about to get a brace of technology and styling updates for 2021, along with a new limited-run 'Electric Collection' trim level. The updated range starts from £24,930 after the government grant and order books are open now.

The most noticeable exterior changes consist of a larger radiator grille with a black-painted hexagonal surround. Elsewhere, the position lights have been replaced by vertical air inlets, while the central bumper strip is now body-coloured rather than black. There are new contours to the wheelarches, new LED side indicators and a new integrated LED rear foglight.

Elsewhere, the inner housing of the headlights is available in black instead of chrome, while a circular light band incorporates the daytime-running-light and indicator functions up front. Adaptive matrix LED headlights with a cornering function are available as an option.

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New 'Multitone Roof'

Further exterior customisation has been introduced in the shape of what MINI calls a 'Multitone Roof'. Running from the windscreen frame to the rear, this sees the colour gradually shift from San Marino Blue through Pearly Acqua to Jet Black. According to MINI, the special painting process used to achieve this finish sees "slight deviations in the colour pattern occur due to changing environmental conditions" meaning every MINI with a Multitone Roof is unique.

Inside, an 8.8-inch touchscreen and piano-black finish are now standard, while there's less chrome than before. A new leather-trimmed sports steering wheel also features, while the digital display behind the wheel – already standard on the MINI Electric – has become standard equipment across the model line-up.

MINI has also introduced improvements to the car's infotainment setup, with new graphics, further developed options for selecting and controlling the car functions, audio, hands-free phone, navigation and apps. Menu items are now displayed as 'live widgets' that can be called up by swiping the touchscreen. Advanced connectivity features, audio and navigation features are available in optional packs: the Navigation Pack includes Apple CarPlay (but not yet Android Auto), while Navigation Plus now includes a head-up display and wireless charging.

A new adaptive suspension system is available, promising "a noticeably optimised balance between sportiness and ride comfort", while the optional Driver Assistance Pack now incorporates lane-departure warnings and a 'stop & go' function for the active cruise control.

New MINI Electric Collection

Two new body colours have been introduced, called Rooftop Grey and Island Blue, available exclusively on the limited-edition 'Electric Collection' model. Limited to 300 examples in the UK and priced from £33,420, this spec is based on the existing Level 3 trim; it gets the Multitone Roof, black mirror caps, a Piano Black exterior styling pack, 17-inch Electric Collection wheels, unique door entry strips and steering wheel badging, aluminium interior trim and a panoramic glass sunroof (the latter being a no-cost option). 

In addition, extra options can now be chosen with some of the regular MINI Electric trims: the Level 2 can now be specified with roof rails, active cruise control and sun protection glass, as well as the Piano Black exterior styling pack, while Level 3 now gets the option of Satellite Grey leather upholstery.