Mini’s first full-production electric car, the Mini Cooper S E, has been spied virtually undisguised during a photo shoot ahead of its launch later this year.
As first revealed by Autocar, the British brand's first battery-electric production model will be a Cooper-badged hot hatch, to reflect its performance heritage. It will be based on the Mini 3dr hatchback, with the 181bhp electric powertrain taken from the BMW i3.
Previously spied in a camouflage livery, the machine has now been captured during what appears to be an official photo shoot event in the US and confirms that the EV will closely follow the standard Mini design.
The biggest difference is the closed-off grille, a revised rear and new wheel designs. The photos also show that the charging port is set to be located in the same place as the fuel filler on the standard Mini. The images also show that Mini’s Union flag lights will remain in place on the EV.
The Mini three-door hatchback's UKL1 platform wasn’t originally designed with an all-electric model in mind, so has been adapted to accommodate the technology.
The BMW i3 S’s 181bhp electric motor will power the new Mini, meaning it will give little away to the 189bhp 2.0-litre engine of the Cooper S. The added weight of the batteries will be largely offset by the instant torque and lack of gears, meaning similar acceleration times.
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tuga
Mini
Sounds like PR spin for an unremarkable car.
A 200 mile range is already well below what other manufacturers are offering, and the Mini won't even be able to take advantage of the packaging advantages that benefit electric cars.
I'd take a Zoe over one of these any day. Or, considering the pricing, a Kona.
Takeitslowly
tuga wrote:
There are reliable reports that most ev owners travel less than 50 miles per day, so why must this car be maligned for offering something approaching 200. I would suggest that anyone who has this car in mind, would not consider a Zoe or a Kona as competitors. The modern MINI is a lifestyle choice, rather than a practical one, so little to no chance of one being bought as an only car by a family of five.
TStag
200 mile range is OK if the
200 mile range is OK if the price reflects that this is mainly going to be an urban commuter car. The price does not reflect that.
xxxx
Price
Even if it comes in at £30k, which is won't, it'll still be a fair bit more expensive than the much bigger LEAF, might even be more than the LEAF LR which is due to be reveled soon.
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
Takeitslowly
xxxx wrote:
MINI EV as a direct competitor for the Leaf...
harf
If you're considering a Mini ....
... you wouldn't be seen dead in a Leaf, however much further its range.
(btw, i'm in no way a Mini fanboy, think the 5-door is one of the worst designed cars in current existence)
You're not stuck in traffic - you are traffic!!
xxxx
MINI LEAF
I used the LEAF as a price comparrasion. I bow to your superior knowledge of knowing all potential MINI EV's owners wouldn't be seen dead in a LEAF.
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
Modeller
i3S
An i3S is £37k with 4 doors and carbon fibre tub , so perhaps they can do it for £30k as it's going to be far cheaper to build.
Leaf is a different catagory to a sporty hatch.
Citytiger
If they are marketing it
as sporty, and if its driven as such, I suspect the 200 mile range will be pure fantasy..
TStag
In some places this would
In some places this would sell with a range of just 120 miles and in Mini One spec rather than in performance spec. Think commuter car to and from a local train station. If price was then nearer 20k before the government grant then this would sell well as a Zoe rival
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