MINI’s first fully-electric production car, which is expected to launch sometime in 2019, has been previewed via an intriguing new concept car which will appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
Recently, MINI confirmed that production of the MINI Electric would take place at its Oxford plant in a couple of years time. It will arrive more than ten years after the brand first revealed the MINI E, which was a fully-electric car that only went through a very limited production run for various trials.
The MINI Electric will be the first fully-electric MINI which will be widely accessible to the public and the Concept version now revealed online gives us clues as to what the production model will look like.
Based on the current MINI Hatch, the Electric Concept is certainly reminiscent of current MINI cars. But there are noticeable design differences which clearly state that this is an electric car and one that aims to be one of the sportiest looking around.
The trademark hexagonal grille has been filled in and features a yellow accent bar with firm’s ‘E’ badge to emphasise the car’s width and electric credentials. This concept is wider than a typical MINI Hatch.
Other design highlights include the more muscular bumpers and side skirts, the restyled headlights, the partially-3D-printed four-spoke alloy wheels and the smooth body panels which boost aerodynamic performance.
MINI has yet to divulge details on the Electric Concept’s powertrain but it is described as having a “powerful electric motor”, suggesting the production model will be quicker than the majority of other electric vehicles on the market.
