MINI sure knows how to make a statement! To build hype around their first ever EV launching next year, the British automaker has revealed a very special car that is being unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show.
It is a classic MINI that features an electric powertrain. The carefully restored MINI sports a red exterior with a contrasting white roof. Designers also installed hood stripes and an assortment of yellow MINI Electric badges on the bonnet, wheel caps and trunk.
MINI declined to release technical specifications but the automaker confirmed the car is powered by a single electric motor. The result is a truly epic one-off classic.
MINI believes electric powertrains are a solution to common problems drivers experience today – much like how the original Cooper was a solution to a fuel shortage. The characteristics of electric powertrains, i.e. compact dimensions, simple design and responsive torque, also make them a perfect fit for MINI, a brand with a strong appreciation for tininess and zippiness.
Mini says the electric motor in the classic MINI Electric “provides a new dimension to the unmistakable go-kart feeling that helped propel the British small car in its original form to worldwide popularity.”
MINI's first EV is scheduled for launch in 2019, co-incidentally the 60th anniversary of the classic model. The car is expected to look like any ordinary 3-door MINI but will use a different front grill and some other subtle design tweaks.
Also worth a look: the MINI X1 and the MINI Cooper S.
FAQ
Q: What does the MINI Electric cost in South Africa?
The classic MINI Electric concept is a one-off show car that's not for sale, but MINI's upcoming production EV launching in 2019 is expected to start around R450,000 based on international pricing trends.
Q: Is the MINI Electric worth buying over a petrol MINI?
If you're after that famous go-kart feeling with instant torque and lower running costs, the electric version will be brilliant for city driving, though you'll pay a premium of roughly R100,000 over a comparable petrol Cooper.
Q: What's the range and power of the MINI Electric?
MINI hasn't released official specs yet, but expect around 200km of real-world range and roughly 135kW of power based on BMW's electric drivetrain technology.
Q: When will the MINI Electric be available in South Africa?
The production MINI Electric launches globally in 2019 to celebrate the brand's 60th anniversary, with South African deliveries likely starting in late 2019 or early 2020.
Should You Buy It?
The MINI Electric concept proves electrification can work brilliantly with the brand's cheeky character, but you'll have to wait for the production version. When it arrives in 2019 at an expected R450,000, it'll be the most expensive way to get into a MINI, but also the most future-proof. If you love the brand's zippy nature and mainly drive in the city, the instant torque and lower running costs make it worth the premium. However, if you're budget-conscious or do lots of long-distance driving, stick with a petrol Cooper S at around R350,000 for now.
