Hollywood isn't far from our Santa Monica digs, in fact it's so close you could drive to Hollywood and back to our office in our long-term Mini E on one charge. That's close.
And word from Hollywood is that pre-production has started on a sequel to The Italian Job from 2003, which of course was a remake of The Italian Job from 1969. Not surprising right, but here's the interesting part. This time the getaway cars are going to be electric Minis just like our long-termer.
Now I know Hollywood's elite like to paint themselves green hoping we don't notice their private jets, but this is ridiculous. In fact, my sources tell me that the short range of the Mini E will be part of the script. I'm told Charlize Theron's character (she has already signed onto the project) will address the need for the getaway route to be less than 60 miles or they'll get caught by the cops when the cars run out of electricity.
Plus, I hear the stunts being planned for the climatic car chase will be truly extreme, with several jumps, lots of e-brake spins and a Mini E racing and beating the bad guys who will be driving black Tesla Roadsters. It'll be the quietest car chase ever filmed.
Sounds crazy I know, but I couldn't make this stuff up. Could I?
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
majin_ssj_eric says:
05:20 AM, 02/ 3/10
You mean it'll be the lamest car chase ever filmed.
vt8919 says:
05:49 AM, 02/ 3/10
I don't think "quiet" is synonymous with "lame".
That said, if the Mini Es are driven like it's said they'll be driven, hitting 60 miles would be an absolute miracle.
jaden82 says:
07:03 AM, 02/ 3/10
Part of enjoying an epic car chase on the big screen is hearing the engines roar. Like in "Bullit"...all that's heard was the sound of the two engines being pushed to the max and tires screeching. I'm not so sure how this would work out for this particular movie. They'd have to do a lot of stunts on the picture to draw our attention from the lack of the engine sounds usually assorted with a car chase. A lot of flash with little substance indeed.
I can imagine a convoluted plot point in the movie that would have them install the devices that made loud engine sounds in these cars before the big heist. The reason? "So we don't have to worry about blind people walking in front of us"
hybris says:
07:08 AM, 02/ 3/10
"Plus, I hear the stunts being planned for the climatic car chase will be truly extreme, with several jumps, lots of e-brake spins and a Mini E racing and beating the bad guys who will be driving black Tesla Roadsters."
Can anyone say overheat warnings?
I guess I'm too old and barbaric but I enjoy the barking roar of engines in car chases.
If this is the future of chase scenes I weep for the movie goer.
uncanny_man says:
07:14 AM, 02/ 3/10
Groan
jeepsrt says:
07:48 AM, 02/ 3/10
Lame!
redliner says:
08:38 AM, 02/ 3/10
Instead of dubbing in the sound of powerful V8s and screaming 4 cylinder engines, they will dub in the sound of a whining electric motor. The whole chase is going to be a 10 minute segment of electric motors humming and whining. Then for dramatic effect, add some shots of the Mini E's charge gauge showing 100 miles and then 2 minutes later showing 10 miles.
canadaphant says:
10:33 AM, 02/ 3/10
Hmm...sounds like 'Ordinary Decent Criminals', when Spacey gets away from the cops by simply having more gas in his tank.
I bet the plot line will have something to do with being quiet. It would be fun to hear screaming tires, screaming drivers, and no engine note, but there's a problem-with the practically nonexistent storage space available in either vehicle, they better be stealing something small.
yellowbal says:
11:22 AM, 02/ 3/10
Charlize Theron = Hot!
hybris says:
01:50 PM, 02/ 3/10
"but there's a problem-with the practically nonexistent storage space available in either vehicle, they better be stealing something small."
Probably Diamonds or guidance microchips originally bound for Iran or NK.
Just looking at cost to weight ratios here.
tomm250 says:
03:22 PM, 02/ 3/10
I'd say the 60 mile range is probably realistic given the extreme driving. I can usually get about 100 miles but when driving like they will be, 60-70 would be about the limit. I do my fair share of hard driving and the MINI-E can handle it believe it or not. Back in September I took it out on Rt 78 in NJ and pinned the spedo at 95mph (electronically limited) for about 20 miles. I used 40% of battery charge during the "test". All in the name of science of course!
Tom M
MINI-E #250 @ 20,600 miles
http://minie250.blogspot.com/