MINI E
The MINI brand is synonymous with fuel efficient cars that are fun to drive. MINI is about to take fuel efficiency one step further. As part of a pilot program to study electric vehicles, MINI will release 500 "MINI E" pure electric cars powered by lithium ion batteries. Select MINI devotees will be asked to put the new two-seaters through their paces over the course of a year. It's MINI's way of beta-testing their new electric powertrain.
Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht, Senior Vice President of Brand Management MINI, assures drivers that this MINI will have the same lovable traits the brand is already known for. "The go-kart feeling is one of the core values of MINI, which is why the engineers have tailored the chassis to suit this new set of parameters. The MINI E has sensational acceleration and the driving experience behind the wheel really is a lot of fun. Plus, the car is extremely quiet, which gives you the feeling of gliding through the countryside," says Albrecht.
The MINI E will do 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, have a top speed of 94 mph and a range of 150 miles of moderate driving per charge. Recharging will take about two and a half hours. Perhaps most importantly, the pilot program will give MINI the opportunity to evaluate the reliability and performance of electric vehicles in real world situations. That's a mighty step in the right direction.
Source: MINI Space
