The Beast
MINI appears to be ready for a new avatar, that of an electric car. The new Mini will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show, and about 500 to 1000 instances will be built to work on a project that will check the feasibility of the Mini E. These pilot vehicles will go on lease to customers in cities that have basic infrastructure to support full electric vehicles; LA, New York, and London are likely choices.
The Machine
The all electric Mini draws 204bhp of power and 162lb ft of torque from an electric motor that is powered by Lithium-ion batteries. The battery pack weighs a massive 260kg, but more than makes up for the bulk in its performance. It takes 8.5 seconds to reach 62mph, and a full charge of 8 hours can move the vehicle for 150 miles, with an electronically capped top speed of 95mph.
The Thrill
Mini does not appear to have fallen off the performance ladder with this green face. With no doubts on the thrilling credentials of the regular Mini, we see the Mini E quite similar in performance, only it’s cleaner and more environment friendly.
