Spending years experimenting with models and concept cars, BMW seems to finally have something in sight. It’s a dream come true for EV and tech freaks. The German automotive brand BMW has unveiled it’s first electric vehicle for the MINI brand. The same classic 2-door classic design, now with a battery and an electric motor.
It’s not a concept but an actual car that will be available for purchase to enthusiasts worldwide. It’s a Mini cooper but electric. Fascinating stuff.
The car is one good sight for the eyes. But what about the specs? The all-new EV by BMW, nicknamed Mini Cooper SE is the brands first purely electric small car. It takes vehicle just over 7 seconds to go from zero to 60 acceleration, thanks to its 181 HP electric motor placed just beneath the hood. The instant acceleration is one of the plus points of an EV. It includes fast charging possible at up to 50 kW with a wide range of between 235 and 270 kilometres (146 to 168 miles).
The T-shaped battery runs down the centre of the car and beneath the back seats. This lets the vehicle have the same space for the passenger and cargo when compared to its gasoline-powered version. The centre of gravity is slightly lowered for better handling as per reports.
One spectacular feature of the EV would be it’s the ability to recapture energy from the wheels when the driver’s foot is off the accelerator, slowing down the car all on its own.
Priced at about $36,400 U.S, the vehicle may not be at par with the likes of Tesla Model S.
Although this poses as one of the primary challenges for the brand, it might not be wrong to say that the vehicle is something of a classic itself for luxury buyers.
The company ensured that the go-kart feel will still be sustained in the model.
“Our new MINI Electric demonstrates how emotional and how much fun e-mobility can be,” said Pieter Nota, BMW’s board member in charge of customers, brands and sales.
He quoted “True to the MINI brand, it is the perfect car for urban areas.”
The vehicle is said to be manufactured in the UK and will then be exported to the US. The arrival time is expected to be by 2020, with the production beginning in November this year. It has already been pre-registered by more than 40,000 customers, said Pieter Nota.
