2010 mini e electric vehicle ev la auto show 024
As you might expect, the MINI E wasn’t the fastest thing to have ever hit this track, but it did show pretty well considering this isn’t even a full production model…yet. Now, how fast would you think an electric MINI could get up to? 90 mph? 95 mph? Even to the surprise of this racecar-driving writer, the MINI E managed a top speed of 115.9 mph with German Touring Car driver Thomas Jaeger at the wheel. The 12.9-mile lap lasted 9 minutes and 51.45 seconds.
If my math serves me right (warning—I am not a math person) that means the average speed around the Nurburgring was about 76.4 mph.
The power of the electric motor has an incredible effect, as you can access its full reserves of torque at all times. Another element of this fascinating experience is the lack of noise from the drivetrain. All in all, that was certainly the cleanest and quietest race lap I've ever driven." said Jaeger. We should tell you that this wasn’t a standard MINI E; the car was given a lightweight body, roll cage, lowered and race tuned suspension and reprogrammed powertrain controller. What about the electric motor and battery—those were the exact same as the ones in the leased cars running around the U.S.
Bottom line—the MINI E is certainly proving that it has the stuff to make it as a production model, but will we see it available to all consumers? We will have to wait and see.
