Mini will offer 500 electric-powered Minis to those folks living in California, New York and New Jersey. The car will be targeted at corporate buyers, as well as private buyers.
The car features a lithium-ion battery pack and a 201-horsepower electric motor driving the front wheels through a single-stage helical gearbox. The motor will produce peak torque of 162 pound-feet and will enable the car to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 95 mph, and the car can travel up to 150 miles on a single charge.
In order to make this conversion, the standard Mini was made into a two-seater to fit the battery pack, which can be recharged from any standard power outlet. The Mini E will also come with a special "wallbox" charging unit that will enable the batteries to fully charge in 2.5 hours.
Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show: Mini E
firstwagon says:
11:14 AM, 10/18/08
I bet it would sell more if it had a 100 hp motor and a 300 mile range.
jackson611 says:
01:20 PM, 10/18/08
what good is 300 mile range if it takes 23 hrs. to get there? trying to merge onto the freeway in a 100 hp car would be amazingly dangerous.
firstwagon says:
08:42 PM, 10/18/08
You're kidding right?
We're talking a Mini here, not a Yukon. The base gas Mini only has something like 116 hp and it boots.
While I agree 200 hp would be more fun, 100 HP would be more then adaquate especially in a high torque engine like most electric motors.
I've owned several sub 100 hp cars over the years and not one was dangerous trying to merge on the freeway. These days people seem to think if you can't do 0 to 60 in less then 6 seconds then the car is too slow.
Nonsense.
karjunkie says:
06:58 AM, 10/19/08
Once again the east coast west coast axis of evil gets the good stuff. An electric car would work much better in Florida than in New York!!!!!!!
estreka says:
10:52 AM, 10/19/08
I think 170hp would be ideal for this car (though I obviously haven't driven one yet). Yes, 116hp is fine for the base Mini, but this one is loaded with batteries (albeit, lithium-ion). It girthed a hefty 900lbs (2300 to 3200).
No electric car would work for long distance travel...yet. The range, while important, is secondary to the recharge time.
ateixeira says:
11:35 AM, 10/20/08
That'll be one expensive Golf Cart.
Cool, though.