BMW used the LA auto show on Wednesday for the first unveiling of its MINI E electric car. The modified Cooper was previewed last month by the automaker with a series of studio shots. MINI’s range is already one of the thriftiest on the planet – with the brand’s biggest gas hog still achieving 34 mpg on the highway. But the legendary marque is preparing to one-up the competition with this new zero-emissions hatch.
The electric MINI is based on the company’s Cooper model and is intended to comply with California’s new zero-emission requirements. As such, the electric Cooper – dubbed the MINI E — will only be available to customers residing in California. 500 MINI Es are earmarked for production. Of course, if all goes well production and availability could be increased.
Power for the electric Cooper is supplied via a front-mounted electric motor, producing 201 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Those figures are good enough to keep the Cooper’s sporting nature, with a 0-62 time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 94 mph.
The E powers its electric motor with a set of lithium-ion batteries. Although the all-electric Cooper’s range is a somewhat limited 155 miles, a full charge can be had in just two and a half hours. The batteries also consume 3.5 cubic feet of the Cooper’s already limited cargo room.
All electric Coopers will be built at the company’s Oxford, England plant – sans powertrain – and then shipped to Germany to be fitted with an electric driveline.
Buyers won’t have much to choose from in customizing their electric MINIs, as all 500 Es will be painted silver. However, yellow accents and a lack of tail pipes will set the electric Coopers apart from their gasoline counterparts. Expect the MINI E to hit the California market later this year with a one year lease deal.
11/19, 10:36 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
The benefit of this version over the overpriced, gas-powered one is the FACT that there is no frightening start-up noise. A Kia Rio has a more pleasing experience at key turning in the morning. All for half the money.
11/19, 11:52 PM
posted by:
eliteski2
Wow, if you are comparing a Kia and a Mini there is something wrong. And the thing you choose to complain about it start up noise? WTF? and what’s with the 007 badge on the side gill?
11/20, 9:42 AM
posted by:
HoosierHero
Nice legs on the lady in the first picture. Anyways, I noticed the 007 badge too. Is Bond downsizing due to gas prices too?? I just wish they would put a more serious interior in the Minis. It always looks like a kid’s jungle gym or something. And move the freak’in spedometer to it’s natural position morons!
11/20, 10:41 AM
posted by:
Eudaemonic
007 means the 7th car out of the 500 planned. Limited Edition. Official images show 001. I guess they timed it right with the latest Bond feature movie!
11/20, 11:15 AM
posted by:
BMW M1
Car 007 now goes to the Punisher
11/20, 11:55 AM
posted by:
TomF
MINI is soliciting potential lessees for this car via email, but they’re only offering a one-year lease and you have to live in the NY/NJ/CT or SoCal metro areas.
HoosierHero, the speedo has always been at the centre of the MINI dash. It’s there because the original MINI competed as a rally car, and the navigator in the shotgun seat had to be able to view it constantly. It’s an essential component of MINI brand heritage.
11/20, 1:30 PM
posted by:
HoosierHero
Tom, I respect the heritage, but for all of the people driving them daily it’s distracting. They could easily offer it as an option for diehard fans. When I was looking at buying one, I knew I had to get the navigation so it was moved back to a better position.
11/20, 3:34 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
‘elitski’, if you’re having trouble acknowledging the FACT that a German engineered, overpriced toy gives owners REGRET after overspending on something that sounds like it’s about to blow up at startup … you should kill yourself.
Idiots like you have no business publically posting anything but “duhhhh, duh, duuuuuuuuuhhh”.