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Mini is launching the Electric in just one capacity, under 'Cooper S' guise, though it remains to be seen if more come down the line. Image Credit: Supplied

An electric Mini isn't all that new of an idea. In fact, you only have to wind back to 2008 for the firm's first EV offering - the E - a car built in extremely limited numbers with none ever finding permanent public homes. So, what we're driving today has been rather a long time in the making.

This is the Mini Electric, the car that lays claim to being the first mass-market electric Mini and what the firm is happy to describe as its biggest introduction since BMW took over the reins. With the electric car market incredibly competitive now though, can the Mini Electric make an impact worthy of the brand?