Mini has unveiled its eye-catching Pacesetter - an electric vehicle set to become Formula E’s latest safety car.
It’s underpinned by the same platform and powertrain that you’ll find in the regular Mini Electric, utilising an electric motor and battery setup which combine to produce 181bhp. The Pacesetter, however, has been put on a crash diet with its infotainment system and rear seats ditched in order to make it as light as possible. As a result, it’s around half a second quicker going from 0-60mph compared with the standard Mini, achieving the time in 6.5 seconds.
In total, the Pacesetter has lost 130kg over the standard Mini Electric
The exterior of the car has been given a major overhaul, too. Widened wheel arches sit over orange-coloured 18-inch alloy wheels, while both a deep front splitter and a large rear wing have been fitted too.
The electric motor needs far less cooling compared to a conventional petrol or diesel engine too, which has allowed Mini to fit the Pacesetter with an ultra-smooth front grille for better aerodynamics. That said, the lower portion of the grille allows air to run through, flowing over the brakes and cooling them down.
Three-way adjustable coilover suspension has been fitted too, while the wheels are shod in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport tyres - the same as those you’ll find on the front wheels of the Formula E race cars.
The Pacesetter looks to make its debut at the Rome E-Prix which will commence on April 10.
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