10 Years in the Making: Mini Previews Styling of Upcoming EV Concept

by Matt Posky

Published: August 30th, 2017

10 years in the making mini previews styling of upcoming ev concept

In 2009, BMW avoided jumping the gun when it introduced an electric conversion of its Mini Cooper as a test platform instead of a production vehicle. Dubbed the “Mini E,” and limited to two seats due to its massive battery pack, the prototype served as a short-term consumer testbed for field trials and was deployed in several countries, including the United States.

However, as other automakers brought production EVs into the world, Mini held off — perhaps waiting for an more advantageous moment to enter the segment.

That moment appears to have arrived. The brand decided Wednesday to tease us with photos of its new “Mini Electric Concept,” which it says will enter into production in 2019. Its shares its powertrain with the BMW i3, so expect a driving range of at least 110 e-miles (or 180 with an optional gasoline range extender) and an electric motor producing a minimum of 160 horsepower.

Unlike the Mini E, the Electric Concept is a four-seater, and it will persist in this layout when it inevitably goes into production.

Styling is always subjective but it’s on-brand in just about every way you could imagine. Its perhaps a bit much in terms of aero, but distinctively modern and clearly a Cooper. Mini claims the bodywork is mostly aerodynamically sound but also specified this was a car designed with the urban environment in mind — so it’s not so much about making downforce as it is adding MPGs.

That said, BMW Group says it wants the EV to maintain the Cooper’s enjoyable handling properties.

“With its characteristic go-kart feeling and powerful electric motor, the Mini Electric Concept is great fun to drive while also being completely suitable for everyday use — and producing zero emissions to boot. That’s how we at Mini envisage electric mobility in tomorrow’s world,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, management board member of BMW AG responsible for Mini, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, said in a statement.

As this is a concept vehicle, the automaker had plenty to say about the vehicle’s appearance. But we wouldn’t encourage you to hold your breath on a two-toned matte and gloss paint job with contrasting accents. Likewise, those aftermarket-looking font fenders probably won’t stick around. But we wouldn’t be opposed to the closed-off faux grille, EV bumpers, and unique LED lights staying. It’s also nice to see a car entirely devoid of chrome, which presents a sense of modernity without feeling gimmicky — something the standard Cooper lacks.

The Frankfurt Auto Show gets underway this September and the concept Mini is certain to make a public appearance. The production model is tentatively slated for 2019, a full decade after the Mini E was introduced.

[Image: BMW Group]

#BMWAG #BmwGroup #ConceptCars #FrankfurtAutoShow #IAAFrankfurt #MINICOOPER #MINIE #MiniElectricConcept

Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

More by Matt Posky

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 7 comments

SilverCoupe on Aug 30, 2017

The tail lights look like halves of a Union Jack, which is a nice touch - but as turn signals, the arrows would be pointing the wrong way! The wheels look like some sort of an electrical outlet, which is also an appropriate touch.

Like Reply
Flybrian on Aug 30, 2017

Shares underpinnings with the i3...so this is a RWD MINI?

Like Reply

Recent Comments

MRF 95 T-Bird Whenever I travel and I’m in my rental car I first peruse the FM radio to look for interesting programming. It used to be before the past few decades of media consolidation that if you traveled to an area the local radio stations had a distinct sound and flavor. Now it’s the homogenized stuff from the corporate behemoths. Classic rock, modern “bro dude” country, pop hits of today, oldies etc. Much of it tolerable but pedestrian. The college radio stations and NPR affiliates are comfortable standbys. But what struck me recently is how much more religious programming there was on the FM stations, stuff that used to be relegated to the AM band. You have the fire and brimstone preachers, obviously with a far right political bend. Others geared towards the Latin community. Then there is the happy talk “family radio” “Jesus loves you” as well as the ones featuring the insipid contemporary Christian music. Artists such as Michael W. Smith who is one of the most influential artists in the genre. I find myself yelling at the dashboard “Where’s the freakin Staple singers? The Edwin Hawkins singers? Gospel Aretha? Gospel Elvis? Early Sam Cooke? Jesus era Dylan?” When I’m in my own vehicle I stick with the local college radio station that plays a diverse mix of music from Americana to rock and folk. I’ll also listen to Sirius/XM: Deep tracks, Little Steven’s underground as well as Willie’s Roadhouse and Outlaw country.
The Comedian I owned an assembled-in-Brazil ‘03 Golf GTI from new until ‘09 (traded in on a C30 R-Design).First few years were relatively trouble free, but the last few years are what drove me to buy a scan tool (back when they were expensive) and carry tools and spare parts at all times.Constant electrical problems (sensors & coil packs), ugly shedding “soft” plastic trim, glovebox door fell off, fuel filters oddly lasted only about a year at a time, one-then-the-other window detached from the lift mechanism and crashed inside the door, and the final reason I traded it was the transmission went south.20 years on? This thing should only be owned by someone with good shoes, lots of tools, a lift and a masochistic streak.
Terry I like the bigger size and hefty weight of the CX90 and I almost never use even the backseat. The average family is less than 4 people.The vehicle crash safety couldn't be better. The only complaints are the clumsy clutch transmission and the turbocharger.
MaintenanceCosts Plug in iPhone with 200 GB of music, choose the desired genre playlist, and hit shuffle.
MaintenanceCosts Golf with a good body and a dying engine. Somewhere out there there is a dubber who desperately wants to swap a junkyard VR6 into this and STANCE BRO it.