Weekend Unfiltered: My New MINI Electric and Jon’s Ford Explorer Drive

244 In this weekend unfiltered chat, Bobby and Jon do exactly what listeners have come to enjoy most from these candid catch-ups: hit record and let the conversation go where it wants.

This time, Bobby is speaking from inside his brand new MINI Cooper Electric and, despite previously saying he’d never own an EV, he’s already completely won over. From the remote parking features and Apple-like build quality to the OLED display, voice controls and overall personality of the car, he shares why this MINI feels special almost immediately.

Jon then talks through his recent Ford Explorer EV test drive, including the biggest surprise of all: just how much better it felt to be back in an electric car. The pair get into real-world range, battery pre-warming, charging practicality, interior design, trim choices, safety systems and how different buyers prioritise different things depending on where and how they drive.

It’s a relaxed but genuinely useful conversation about what makes a modern EV appealing, what still causes hesitation and why range, tech and ease of use matter so much in the real world. 

Timestamps

00:00 - Another weekend unfiltered chat begins

00:33 - Bobby records from his new MINI Cooper Electric

01:00 - The surprise remote control parking feature

02:09 - MINI app tech and daily manoeuvre memory

03:19 - Why these features don’t always come across on a test drive

04:24 - Jon’s early thoughts on the Countryman EV and range worries

04:45 - Bobby on the MINI’s OLED screen and infotainment

06:20 - Voice controls, assistants and living without physical buttons

07:44 - Apple Watch access, personality and why the MINI feels special

09:24 - Build quality, trim level and how premium the car feels

10:43 - Sound system, user profiles and day-to-day usability

12:00 - Cars and phones are converging

12:56 - Security, remote control and keyless access

14:13 - Jon’s Ford Explorer EV test drive begins

15:00 - Why going back to an EV immediately felt better

15:20 - Range, charge limits and battery pre-warming

16:21 - Explorer interior, practicality and driving impressions

17:47 - Roof bars, tyre costs and EV ownership considerations

18:58 - Weight, stability and the square steering wheel

19:46 - Ford trim flexibility vs MINI pack structure

21:28 - Why Jon is prioritising range above all else

22:45 - Real-world MINI range vs Explorer range

24:22 - Home charging and the reality of EV ownership

25:48 - Bentley test track day and a possible MINI road trip to Cheshire

26:45 - Wrap up and subscribe reminder  

Tags

MINI Cooper Electric, MINI Cooper SE, Ford Explorer EV, electric cars podcast, EV range, EV charging, car tech podcast, MINI review, Ford Explorer review, electric vehicle buying advice, OLED car screen, EV test drive, Bentley Continental GTS, weekend unfiltered chat

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