A month ago, the MINI E Race became the first electrically-powered vehicle to tame the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife at race speed. Now the BMW Group is about to repeat this tour de force before the massed ranks of spectators at the 24-hour endurance race – relying on blue blood to accomplish it. This Saturday, 15 May, His Royal Highness Prince Leopold of Bavaria will get behind the wheel to clock up a fast – but virtually noiseless – lap of the “Green Hell”.
“I’m really looking forward to this outing, particularly being able to feel the immense power of the electric motor. In my career as a racing driver I have had the honour of driving some of the most beautiful and celebrated vehicles in motor racing history. The MINI E Race represents a seamless continuation,” commented the former DTM racing driver and great-great-grandson of King Ludwig I of Bavaria.
The MINI E Race is a modified race version of the series-production MINI E. To ensure optimal performance and safety out on the race track it features a special lightweight body and roll cage. Individual components such as the suspension, brakes and tyres are likewise race-specification. Other than that, the car draws almost entirely on the standard technical make-up of the MINI E. It shares the 150 kW/204 hp electric motor that is fed with energy from 5,088 lithium-ion battery cells.
The starting signal for the Nordschleife lap by HRH Prince Leopold of Bavaria will sound at around 11.15 hrs on Saturday, immediately after the MINI Challenge race that is also taking place on the support card of the 24-hour event. A video of the demo lap will be available online at approx. 18.00 hrs on the day on the YouTube channel www.youtube.com/MINI.
Model-specific conversions
Interior
Recaro Pro Racer (HANS) CFRP seat, 6-way safety harness (3-inch), suede leather steering wheel 320 mm diameter
Roll cage
Bolt construction (lightweight) CrMo4, approx. 35 kg incl. mounting materials
Transmission
Mechanical multi-plate limited-slip differential with 40°/50° ramp breakover angle, 55 Nm preload
Engine
Adjusted engine management settings
Suspension
KW Variant 3 coilover suspension, tuned to the higher axle loads of the MINI E Race with modified damping characteristics and adjusted springs
Exterior
Diffusers, rear wing, CFRP body parts
Safety
Integration of special race ABS
Differentiated main switch concept
1 as a result of the lower ride height and weight reduction; allows smoother and more stable handling
2 as a result of the longer gear ratio
3 as a result of changes to the control electronics
