2026 MINI Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition
By Lorenzo Bianchi January 23, 2026
The Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition is the first model from the new Paul Smith Edition range to reach the road.
With a 0–100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds, the electric output is 218 horsepower.
The edition is defined by design-driven exterior and interior details, with no mechanical modifications beyond those of the standard Cooper SE.
An Electric Statement Driven by Design
Rather than being a technical experiment, the 2026 MINI Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition is a manifestation of intent.. Unveiled in January 2026, it marks the return of a long-running collaboration between MINI and British designer Paul Smith, applying fashion-led detail work to MINI’s latest fully electric three-door hatch. It is positioned as the opening act for the wider Paul Smith Edition family, setting the visual tone before petrol-powered Cooper variants follow later in the year.
Exterior Color and Graphic Identity
The Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition is offered with carefully curated exterior treatments that focus on contrast and restraint. One configuration presents the car in Midnight Black, giving the three-door body a deliberately classic appearance. The roof remains black but introduces a subtle reinterpretation of Paul Smith’s signature stripes, rendered in glossy and matt black rather than the familiar bright palette.
Across the broader Paul Smith Edition range, Statement Grey is also available, while Nottingham Green appears as a recurring accent. Inspired by the designer’s hometown, the color is applied to the side mirrors, octagonal grille surround, and wheel hub caps, each carrying Paul Smith lettering. The stance is completed by 18-inch Night Flash Spoke Black alloy wheels finished with a Dark Steel tinted clear coat, adding visual weight without changing the underlying proportions.
Interior Details That Set the Mood
Inside, the Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition adopts a consistent interior specification shared across the lineup. Nightshade Blue seats are paired with black knitted surfaces featuring subtle tone-on-tone striping. The overall impression is calm, but not plain. When the door opens, a light projection greets occupants with a simple “Hello,” followed by the message “Every day is a new beginning” integrated into the door sill.
The most deliberate design flourish sits on the steering wheel. A textile band wrapped around the lower spoke carries Paul Smith’s signature stripes, placing the collaboration directly in the driver’s view. A hand-drawn rabbit graphic, a recurring Paul Smith motif, appears on the floor mats, adding a moment of quiet humor without overpowering the cabin.
Electric Performance Without Distraction
Mechanically, the Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition remains aligned with the standard fully electric Cooper SE. Power comes from a 218 hp (160 kW) front-wheel-drive electric motor, delivering a 0–100 km/h time of 6.7 seconds. WLTP combined energy consumption is rated between 14.6 and 14.7 kWh per 100 km, with zero local CO₂ emissions recorded. The emphasis here is continuity rather than escalation, allowing the design elements to take precedence.
Market Position and Availability
The fully electric MINI Cooper Paul Smith Edition is already available in select markets. Other Paul Smith Edition body styles, including the Cooper, Cooper 5-door, and Cooper Convertible, are scheduled to follow from the second quarter of 2026. Within the growing electric small-car segment, the Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition positions itself as a personality-driven alternative, aimed at buyers who value visual identity as much as drivetrain choice.