Energized aesthetics: Driving the Mini Electric Resolute Edition

ˈRɛzəluːt

Determined in character, action, or ideas:

Perfectly apt words to describe the current third generation of Mini hatchbacks as they head into 10 years of cheerful motoring adventures ever since their conception, making the F-chassis series of cheeky runabouts the longest cars in production ever since BMW took the helm.

We might not have the exact reasons why Mini have chosen to christen their latest offering with this unique nomenclature what we do know is that the Resolute, together with the Untold Clubman (which you might remember from my visit to Munich) and Untamed Countryman are a trio of Special Editions Minis that dropped early this year.

Even though the rebellious-sounding names might bring to mind stout and sprightly attitudes, the actual revisions are all but aesthetic, with no change at all to their drivetrains and handling characteristics. Not that we have much to complain about when it comes to slinging fast Minis around.

While the Untold and Untamed cars are both model specific, the Resolute can be had in all hatchback forms, the Cooper S 3-door, Cooper S 5-door, and our star for today, the Electric “Cooper S” 3-door.

Finished in Rebel Green, a shade previously only available on the John Cooper Works, our Electric Resolute edition brings with it a host of unique exterior finishing touches with specially created bonnet stripes featuring gold tapering lines and the car’s namesake penned into a stripe and bespoke Resolute Bronze trim pieces encompassing the radiator grille, headlight and taillight surrounds, side scuttles, door and tailgate pull handles. Finished off with piano black badges, pepper white side mirror caps with a matching roof, and Mini’s distinct 17″ 3-pin plug-Esque Electric Collection alloys.

The aesthetic upgrades continue on the inside with unique door sill panels greeting you along the way into the cabin and behind the lovely Nappa-wrapped steering wheel featuring a Resolute edition inlay at the base. Along the dashboard, the Resolute stripe motif continues with gold pinstripe interior trim pieces adorning the dashboard.

Sadly, whilst our local cars have been optioned out with the more exquisite Mini Yours carbon black leather seats, they do look rather staid against the beautifully cheerful and playful yellow chequered cloth seats that come as standard,

If you ever find yourself in the enviable position of speccing one out, I’d highly recommend going with the fabric seats, they are so much prettier and play a vital role in brightening up the ambiance of the cabin, allowing your Resolute to stand out that much more.

As mentioned, the Mini Electric Resolute shares the same mechanical innards as all other Mini Electrics in the range, so a good 181bhp and 270Nm of forward momentum, all good for a manufacturer’s claimed range of 232 kilometers.

Although in real-life local situations with the air-conditioning constantly running and occasionally driving a Mini as a Mini should be driven, a more realistic driving range will be around 150-170 kilometers. A slight drop from the spec sheet but still good for driving within the confines of our city-state with more EV chargers ever so slowly being added to the island.

When it comes to the Mini Electric’s footwork, you know the drill. Having had a good amount of time in previous iterations of Mini’s zapped hatchback, you should know we love driving it. Agile and nimble with quick steering response now coupled with the instantaneous power delivery of a smooth electric drivetrain does wonders to uplift mundane regular commutes.

With local car prices having risen exponentially in the 2 years since Mini first launched their electrically charged Cooper in Singapore, the price of entry into a Mini Electric now sits at a rather considerable S$219,888, with the higher-specced Resolute Edition asking a not-too-sizeable S$7,000 premium.

While the enhancements the Resolute makes to the Mini Electric might be purely cosmetic, the added value they bring to the initial impression, overall visual appeal, and ambiance feel makes ticking the box next to this special edition a no-brainer if you’re in the market for one.

If only it came with the lovely chequered yellow seats we last saw in Munich!

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