Photo source: Peter's Mini E blog
We've been periodically checking in on Ford's Fiesta Movement test program, and we'll be following the Mini E test program with equal fervor. And it is just a you-test-it-for-us program, remember, since "owners" only get to lease these electric Minis for 1 year to the tune of $850/month, after which time the car gets shipped back to Munich for a full download by BMW Project i engineers.
The first lessee, Peter Trepp, of Pacific Palisades, CA, has been getting plenty of press recently. He's also taken the step of starting his own blog, so you can follow his experience with the car if you like.
In yesterday's entry, he reflects on the handling of his Mini E:
"I could describe in great detail the merits of joining a MINI Cooper S with a high-torque electric motor and how the extra 600lbs is a blessing in that it keeps the tires safely planted on the road, but nothing replaces a first-hand test drive. Virtually everyone I've taken for a test drive comes back feeling like they just stepped off a roller coaster with that "can we go again?" look on their face.
"Here is my simple description of the handling. Lateral motion (e.g. cornering) is much like any well-tuned sports car - tight and fun."
Trepp is a venture capitalist specializing in early-stage clean technology companies, says BMW's press release, which no doubt made him an attractive candidate for Mini's electric car field trial.
Update: Looks like blogging might be mandatory if you lease a Mini E. We've found two more Mini E blogs started by field trial participants who are waiting to take delivery of an electric Mini -- Our 100% Electric Mini E and Robert's MINI E Field Trial.
desmolicious says:
12:44 PM, 05/28/09
"extra 600lbs is a blessing "
Ahahaha!
Yup, the heavier the cars are, the better...
blueguydotcom says:
12:55 PM, 05/28/09
600 lbs? Egad, the Mini's already heavy given its size!
firstwagon says:
02:07 PM, 05/28/09
I'm not sure how much faith I put in a carefully choosen test driver/owner but it should still be interesting to read what he thinks.
I'd rather see Edmunds with one. You can count on them not to gloss over shortcoming just to please the manufactor.
I'd also like to see the test go longer then a year. It's common for batteries to hold less and less charge as they age. My cell phone is a year old and only lasts 1/2 as long on a charge now as it did when it was new. Only annoying on a cell phone but a big problem in a car that doesn't have a huge range to start with.
blueguydotcom says:
03:34 PM, 05/28/09
First, are you using a cell phone from the 1990s?
firstwagon says:
04:13 PM, 05/28/09
How would I get a cell phone from the 90's a year ago?
It's an LG 8600. Like I said it's annoying but that's the way batteries work.
brn says:
09:27 PM, 05/28/09
blue guy, I gotta side with fw on this one. At work, I've purchased dozens of cell phones. Some of them still hold a charge very well after three years of use. Some deteriorate badly after six months of use. It's just the way it is.