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(Tue 21 Oct 08) An all-electric version of the MINI hatchback, called the MINI E, will make its world debut at the Los Angeles Show next month, and 500 examples will then be sent to the states of California, New York and New Jersey for a year's testing by private and business customers.
The MINI E has a lithium-ion battery taking up the space usually reserved for the rear seat (possibly not a great sacrifice for MINI owners) and an electric motor driving the front wheels. When the accelerator pedal is released, the motor acts as a generator, sending energy back to the battery; as well as extending the range between charges, this system also effectively provides a second brake, and in fact MINI reckons that in more than half of city driving it can be used instead of the conventional brake system. Performance is quite lively for an electric car, according to MINI figures. Top speed is limited to 95mph, while the 0-62mph is claimed to be 8.5 seconds, and the range is officially 150 miles as measured in an official US test. In an effort to maintain the spritely MINI handling, the suspension has been modified and the Dynamic Stability Control adapted to take into account the new weight distribution. There is no talk at this stage of the MINI E going into production, but this is a serious project. The car has passed several crash tests, and BMW Group has said that it intends to make electric vehicles available to the public "in the medium term". Previous: SEAT At Climate Conference Next: Renault Laguna Coupé Pricing |
