WE CURRENTLY live in an age that represents a significant turning point for the global automotive industry, one where vehicle manufacturers are slowly making the shift from the tried-and-true internal combustion engine into the exciting new world of electric powertrains.

The latest brand to join the shift is Mini, which has waded into the EV market with a modified version of its three-door Cooper hatch, which arrives Down Under in the single Electric Hatch SE specification.

With a 135kW powertrain and a claimed 233km of range, the Mini is more potent than most rivals, but with less driving range.

So how does that combo stack up in the real world?