THE next generation of the MINI family is being launched with the MINI Cooper Electric - and owners BMW say it has the go-kart feel which has become the car's trademark.

The new edition of the iconic MINI 3-door is geared towards electric driving fun and is available with two power levels.

Originally launched in 2020, the all-electric MINI Cooper SE saw a 25.5 per cent increase in sales in 2022 to become by far the most popular MINI model, with over 43,000 units of the locally emission-free MINI being sold worldwide last year.

One out of five MINI on the road now is electrically powered. The success of the original MINI was recently demonstrated by the production anniversary of the one millionth MINI 3-door of the current - fourth - generation.

In the new MINI family, full torque is available from the start in both the MINI Cooper E with an output of 135 kW and the MINI Cooper SE with 160 kW.

The lithium-ion high-voltage battery is installed in the floor of the MINI Cooper Electric for optimum road holding and weight distribution, while also increasing the vehicle's stability and agility.

BMW says that In this way, MINI redefines the brand's hallmark go-kart feeling, consistently perpetuating the concept of urban driving fun that has been so successful for more than 60 years.

The new model is priced from around £29,000 - significantly cheaper than rivals such as the Honda e.

MINI was able to draw on development expertise within the BMW Group in order to achieve further improved driving dynamics in the new MINI Cooper Electric.

The vehicle has been firmly anchored in the company's brand history from the market launch of the redesigned generation of the MINI 3-door in 2001 through to the upcoming fifth model generation.

The battery capacity in the MINI Cooper E is 40.7 kWh, while in the MINI Cooper SE it is 54.2 kWh. This gives the new models a predicted range of between 187 and 250 miles - more than the current electric model.

Together with the MINI Countryman - to be produced at the BMW Group Plant Leipzig from November 2023 - the new MINI Cooper Electric marks the start of an all-electric future of MINI.

The MINI Aceman crossover will complete the new model family from 2024 onwards.