Mini has released the full technical details for the all-electric version of its two-door Cooper hatch, which is set to be delivered in an initial batch of 500 examples to customers in the United States later this year. BMW is using its Mini brand to test the waters with its electric powertrain technology but the vehicle was also developed in order to meet new California regulations that require car makers to offer zero emission vehicles.
On the track the MINI accelerates with gusto and it is a unique experience to only have to modulate the accelerator to make turns through the autocross course. Fact is it probably made the electric the easiest car to drive fast, unless you were used to left foot braking techniques. The biggest different be it and the Cooper S I found was the under steer the MINI E exhibited in the sharp 90 degree right turn. This has also been recorded by other drivers and is likely do to the added weight from the battery and the difference in where the weight is placed in the car. Something tells me the tires play a roll in this too.
Initially, the Mini E will be offered only in the Mini sedan body style, no Clubman or convertible models. The American-made AC Propulsion system uses 5088 lithium-ion cells in the space normally filled by the rear seats. The 201 horsepower electric motor, which makes 143 foot-pounds of torque, the power control electronics, and the inverter, which turns DC current into AC and back again are under the hood. BMW says a fully charged Mini E has a driving range of about 160 miles, well within the round-trip commuting range of many American drivers. Top speed is said to be governed to 95 mph and 0-60 acceleration is electronically limited to about eight seconds, to preserve battery power. Regenerative braking charges the battery every time the brakes are applied.
2010 Mini E Side view
2010 Mini E Car Show
2010 Mini E Wallpaper
2010 Mini E SpeedoMeter
2010 Mini E Lable
2010 Mini E Inside View
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