You’ve seen them, you’ve laughed at them, and now it’s time for the Mini to get in on the action. The British automaker, famous for such classic roadsters as the Mini Cooper and recent hatchbacks like the Clubman, has revealed their vision of how an electric car should look: absolutely bonkers! Mini may not be a name that immediately comes to mind when you think of high-performance electrical cars. However, over the last few years—with each new generation of its ever-expanding electric SUV line—the brand has proven it’s more than capable of producing cars with top performance. That is why we are excited to learn they have now put their money where their mouth is.
What’s the Mini Next EV?
The Mini Next EV is an all-electric supercar that is being developed in collaboration with BMW. The Mini Next EV will feature a 2.0-liter, three-cylinder engine that produces around 200 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque. It will be paired with a lightweight, carbon-fiber-and-alloy body that will be armed with active aerodynamics and a sophisticated motor-salesman’s calculator that manages the efficiency of the electric motor and battery pack. At launch, the car will come with two different drive modes—G and R, which stands for “Gain and Release”. In the “G” mode, the motor is completely disabled, and the car is only capable of being propelled “G”-elevation only— basically a slower, more controlled version of a race car. In the “R” mode, the motor is revved to 5500 RPM, and 0–60 mph is achieved in just 3.2 seconds.
The Concept: The Mini Next EV
The Mini Next EV has a very distinct style that is inspired by its predecessors, the 1951–1955 Morris and the 1966–1974 Cooper S, which also served as the basis for the current Clubman. The car follows the lines of the earlier models more closely than either the current or former Morris and Cooper, but adds a few modern touches. The most obvious trait of the new concept is its design, which borrows elements from the Mini Clubman and Morris Mini. This includes the iconic Cooper S front grille and the round headlights. Apart from the face, the car borrows many of the mechanicals from the Cooper S, including the rear-mounted gearbox and the kickstart button. However, the Mini Next EV is also more than just a copy-paste job: The designers made sure the new car retained the spirit of the originals while adding its own unique touches. For example, the side panels and front wheel arches are borrowed from the Cooper S, while the rear structure is inspired by the Morris Mini.
Why is it so bonkers?
The Mini Next EV’s performance is nothing short of amazing. With a top speed of 215 miles per hour (SLOW) and a 0–60 mph time of less than three seconds, the Mini Next EV is some serious speed—and it’s still going from a dead stop. This is a result of the car’s very efficient battery system. The car’s lithium-ion battery pack is one of the lightest in the world, weighing in at just 3,835 pounds. This alone is reason enough to make the Mini Next EV a serious competitor in the race to be the quickest car in the world.
Engine, brakes and suspension
Sporting a supercharged and automated version of the 2.0-liter, three-cylinder engine found in the Mini Cooper S and the BMW i3, the Mini Next EV produces an incredible 349 horsepower and 422 foot-pounds of torque at a low 1,500 rpms. This is achieved thanks to twin electric turbochargers and a sophisticated energy recovery system. The suspension setup on the car is also nothing short of amazing. It features carbon-fiber-and-alloy sub-frame suspension with four-wheel steering to take the car’s weight into account, but is also capable of withstanding a 25-foot fall. The carbon-fiber sub-frame is then joined by a light-weight aluminum structure to create the car’s rigidity.
Final verdict
The Mini Next EV is billed as the most advanced electric car in the world. With its impressive speed and range, combined with the fact that it is one of the lightest cars in the world and has one of the lowest operating costs of all electric cars, the Mini is an attractive proposition. The Mini Next EV starts at $247,495 (plus on-road costs) and can be ordered with a range of options. It will be available in multiple power and design options, including a redesign of the current Clubman that will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October. The Mini Next EV is an amazing car and one that definitely piques our interest in the electric vehicle landscape. We can’t wait to see what the next evolution of the car brings. Would you like to be the first to know when a new issue of European Motor Car Journal (EMCC) is released? Sign up for our email list. We would love to hear from you and give you updates on all things motor car.
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