Last month in Frankfurt, MINI has unveiled their second and future production series electric hatchback. It has been nearly ten years since MINI took a significant, pioneering step with the MINI E – and laid the foundations at the BMW Group for the development of electric mobility solutions to production readiness. The MINI E unveiled in 2008 was the first all-electric car from the BMW Group to be driven by private users in everyday traffic conditions – as part of an extensive field trial. Over 600 MINI E cars entered service worldwide for the purpose of the field studies.
The new MINI electric is based on the standard three-door model in the company’s current range. The design of the MINI Electric Concept stands out with a hexagonal radiator grille and circular headlights. Identifying features include the vividly contrasting silver and yellow colour scheme reminiscent of the earlier MINI E, as well as the distinctive E badge.
Besides this, the radiator grille and headlights have been reinterpreted to reflect the emission-free drive technology under the bonnet. As the electric drive unit requires very little cooling air, the radiator grille is closed for superior aerodynamics. A Striking Yellow accent bar in the grille – with an E badge in the same colour – produces a powerful contrasting effect, which is echoed by the styling of the daytime running lights in the all-LED headlight assemblies.
MINI Electric Concept will be powered by a lithium-ion battery but power specs, range and efficiency specs have yet to be disclosed. It will be manufactured at the company’s plant in Oxford and will go on sale in 2019.
To learn more about the new electric concept and about MINI’s future, we interviewed Christopher Weil, the head of MINI Exterior Design.
