What's the story?
MINI has released images and plenty of design analysis of a new concept car, set to make its world debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. It's called the Electric Concept, leaving nothing to the imagination. Being slightly less sarcastic, the naming of the show car previews a whole new 'MINI Electric' sub-brand, which will really kick off in earnest in 2019 with the launch of the company's first-ever all-electric production car.
What about the MINI E?
Well-remembered. Only 600 examples of the 2008 MINI E were manufactured, and while a select group of consumers did get to drive them for extended periods, each and every one was returned to MINI for analysis afterwards. It was a field trial, in effect, helping the BMW Group move to electrification. However, aspects of the MINI E can be seen in the design and colour scheme of the Electric Concept presented here.
Looks sporty...
Indeed it does. MINI wants to ensure that its 'go-kart handling' image is carried over intact to the EV when it launches, which is why the concept gets plenty of aggressive detailing, including a new body kit, reshaped wings and even a cool set of four-spoke alloy wheels that were partially made using 3D printing.
So how much power has it?
Your guess is as good as ours... MINI refers to the front-mounted electric motor as 'powerful' without deigning to quote any other numbers, though it also alludes to weight reduction in the body of the car. It isn't yet clear whether the 2019 EV will be based on an existing MINI model or whether it will sit on a bespoke carbon fibre chassis, as the BMW i cars do. The BMW Group has plenty of electric motors of various outputs already in use so conceivably there could be several different versions of the finished product in a couple of years' time.
Shane O' Donoghue - 29 Aug 2017